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

23 January 2013

Incident Code

USYEM149-C

Location

Wald Rabi' District, Bayda Governorate, Yemen
A second possible drone strike on January 23, 2013 killed between two and four militants, with some sources noting that two children were killed and seven other civilians, including two children and a woman, were injured. The Los Angeles Times reported the strike hit two motorcycles – its intended target – and killing the alleged…

Summary

Published
23 January 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Residential, Vehicle (Motorcycle)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
Military actors reported killed
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 January 2013

Incident Code

USYEM142-N

Location

وادي عبيدة, Wadi Abida, Ma'rib, Yemen
On January 19th 2013, between 7 and 10:30 pm, the first of three alleged US drone strikes in the Wadi Abidah region in al-Hatik in Marib struck an orange farm in the populated Al-Masil area in Al Dsaleel, Ra’ed Fadi Abdullah. There were no reported casualties, civilian or militant but according to eyewitnesses, the strike…

Summary

Published
19 January 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 January 2013

Incident Code

USYEM143-B

Location

وادي عبيدة, Wadi Abida, Ma'rib, Yemen
On January 19th 2013, before 11pm, the second of three alleged US drone strikes hit the  Al Shabwan Wadi Abidah region of the Marib governorate, killing as many as three militants. Marib Press, Yemen Observer, and Enduring American World View corroborated that one of the reported militants killed was Ismaeel Bin Saeed Bin Jameel and…

Summary

Published
19 January 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 January 2013

Incident Code

USYEM144-C

Location

وادي عبيدة, Wadi Obeida, Ma'rib, Yemen
A suspected US drone strike in Wadi Obeida, Ma’rib governorate on January 19th 2013 between 11 o’clock at night and midnight killed up to four civilians, with conflicting reports that in fact up to six Al Qaeda militants were killed. According to Mareb Press, the strike hit and destroyed a vehicle that Al Qaeda seized…

Summary

Published
19 January 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Civilians reported killed
0–4
Military actors reported killed
4–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 January 2013

Incident Code

USYEM141-B

Location

رداع, Rada'a, Al Bayda, Yemen
On January 3rd 2013, at least three Al Qaeda militants were allegedly killed by a US or Yemeni airstrike in a “mountainous area” near Rada’a. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. Among those who died was Muqbel Abbad Al Zobah, nicknamed Abu Shebab, the news source Akhbar Alyom reported. This was corroborated…

Summary

Published
3 January 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2012

Incident Code

USYEM139-B

Location

سائلة الجرّاح, Saila valley/Sa'ilat al Jarrah, Al Bayda, Yemen
Alleged US missiles hit a 2006 saloon Land Cruiser traveling on the outskirts of al-Manaseh village on December 29, 2012, near Radda, in the fourth strike in a week. At least three alleged al Qaeda members died and two others were injured. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. The three victims reportedly…

Summary

Published
29 December 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident