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

7 September 2012

Incident Code

USYEM126-C

Location

عزان, Azzan, Shabwa, Yemen
On September 7th 2012, a child was injured following the explosion of a live projectile from a previous airstrike allegedly by US forces in the city of Azzan, Shabwa governorate. Eyewitnesses told Al-Masdar Online that “a shell exploded while a child was passing by one of the buildings that was bombed by drones to target…

Summary

Published
7 September 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 September 2012

Incident Code

USYEM125-C

Location

الهشم, Hashim, Hadramaut, Yemen
Up to four civilians were killed when an alleged US drone reportedly fired eight missiles on a residential house with a winery on the ground floor in the village of Hashim in Hadramout. Sources were conflicted as to who was killed, with some reporting that the strike killed up to six Al Qaeda affiliates and…

Summary

Published
5 September 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
0–4
Military actors reported killed
0–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 September 2012

Incident Code

USYEM124-C

Location

صرار قيفة, Sarar Qifah, Al Bayda, Yemen
Confirmed US drones or jets killed between 11 and 14 civilians, including up to three women (one pregnant woman) and three children, in a botched attack on an alleged senior militant in the village of Al Saboul in Bayda province at 4pm on September 2, 2012. Up to 11 other civilians were wounded. Al Masdar…

Summary

Published
2 September 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Civilians reported killed
11–14
Civilians reported injured
4–11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

31 August 2012

Incident Code

USYEM123-B

Location

الخشعة, قطن, Between Kasha and Qatn , Hadramaut, Yemen
An alleged US drone strike killed between eight and 10 suspected Al Qaeda militants on the road between the town of Qatn and the village of Khasha in the Hadramout province at 7.30am on August 31st, 2012. There were no reports of civilian harm. @basselabowardh was among the first to tweet that a drone was…

Summary

Published
31 August 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
8–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 August 2012

Incident Code

USYEM122-C

Location

خشامر, Khashamir, Hadramaut, Yemen
As many as nine people were reportedly killed by alleged US drone or airstrikes as they travelled through the village of Khashamir on August 29, 2023. Up to four missiles were fired at the village causing extensive damage to homes and terrifying the local residents sufficiently for some to be rushed to hospital with shock.…

Summary

Published
29 August 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military actors reported killed
3–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 August 2012

Incident Code

USYEM121-B

Location

حصن العبر, Abr district, Hadramaut, Yemen
Multiple reports stated that Yemeni military officials acknowledged that a drone strike killed at least two suspected militants, as missiles struck two cars travelling between the Marib and Hadramout provinces in eastern Yemen on August 28th, 2012. While American drones have been utilized in this area, Yemeni military officials did not specify the nation involved.…

Summary

Published
28 August 2012
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