U.S. Forces in Yemen

U.S. forces conducted the first known drone strike in Yemen in 2002, and have conducted periodic strikes against Al-Qaeda since 2009. In late 2023, Houthi militants began attacking shipping in the Red Sea in support of Palestinian militants in Gaza. In response, US-led forces began a campaign against the Houthis, with an escalation March-May 2025.

Airwars has documented all allegations of civilian harm from U.S. strikes in Yemen since 2009, and has produced a number of reports and investigations into the allegations of harm.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

443 – 642

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely U.S. Forces actions in Yemen for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the U.S. Forces. These originate from 153 separate alleged incidents.

90 – 110
children likely killed
38 – 57
women likely killed
470
likely injured
425
named victims

U.S. Forces estimate of civilian deaths

13

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S. Forces actions in Yemen, originating from 3 separate incidents of civilian harm.

2
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
542 – 828
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Yemen.
153 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
443 – 642
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S. Forces
97 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
39 – 52
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
30 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
60 – 134
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
26 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
0 seperate alleged incidents
445 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

2–3 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr025-C

Location

وادي يشبم, Yashbum Valley, Shabwa, Yemen
Several sources reported that US airstrikes and ground forces targeted AQAP militants, including alleged leader Saad Atef, in the Yashbum Valley of al-Saeed district in Shabwa province, overnight from March 2nd-3rd 2017, following airstrikes in the same area early on March 2nd. There were multiple allegations of civilian harm as a result of heavy munitions…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Factory), Residential, Resources (Gas Facility)
Civilians reported killed
10–14
Civilians reported injured
4
Military actors reported killed
7–11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2–3 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr027

Location

Aqaba Za'aj, Al Bayda, Yemen
Multiple local language sources indicated that US airstrikes took place in Aqaba Za'aj, in Qayfa Radaa, Bayda province, during the night from March 2nd to March 3rd. There were no known reports of civilian harm. Various sources reported that strikes took place in Aqaba Za'aj, seemingly in conjunction with strikes against the nearby locations of…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr013

Location

الوضيع, Wadi'a district, Abyan, Yemen
Multiple sources suggested that, on the afternoon of March 2nd 2017, a US airstrike targeted a car in farmland surrounding the Wadea district of Abyan province, reportedly killing five AQAP militants - including a regional militant leader in Dar Saad Aden.  There were no reported civilian casualties. Multiple sources named the AQAP leader as Osama…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr014

Location

مُحَافَظَة أبين, Abyan, Yemen
On March 2nd 2017, a US airstrike killed AQAP members Usayd al-Adani and Yasir al-Silmi in Abyan governorate, a US Pentagon spokesperson later announced - though other sources instead named the strike location as Qaifa, in Bayda governorate. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to the Pentagon, al-Adani was "a longtime…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr011

Location

الصعيد, Al Said, Shabwa, Yemen
Multiple sources alleged that four al-Qaeda militants were killed in a US drone strike in al-Saeed, Shabwa province. Al Arabi for example reported that a car was targeted in Shabwa at dawn on March 2nd 2017, as it was travelling "towards the road linking the towns of Ahur and Shakra".  There were no known reports…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr015

Location

موجان, Mojan, Abyan, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that US forces were involved in a combined arms operation that took place at dawn on March 2nd 2017 in Mogan, al-Maraqisha directorate, Abyan governorate. The action was variously alleged to have included airstrikes, naval bombardment, and troop landings. Some sources claimed the operation was implemented in cooperation with Emirati special forces…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
Infrastructure
Education
Military actors reported killed
4–26
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident