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

11 June 2012

Incident Code

USYEM101-B

Location

جعار, Ja'ar, Abyan, Yemen
Between 12 and 16 Al Qaeda fighters were killed in a suspected US or Yemeni airstrike or ground operation on Jaar, Abyan on June 11, 2012, local media reported. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. Reuters cited a Yemeni military official who said that "the army launched its most serious assault on…

Summary

Published
11 June 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
12–16
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 June 2012

Incident Code

USYEM099-B

Location

جعار, Desert road between Ja'ar and Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen
On June 7th 2012, there were reports that Yemeni or US warplanes conducted an airstrike against a vehicle carrying suspected Al Qaeda militants on the desert road between Ja’ar and Zinjibar in Abyan province. According to anonymous officials and an anonymous military source speaking to local and international media, three to five of the passengers…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 June 2012

Incident Code

USYEM096-C

Location

شبوة, Shabwa, Shabwa, Yemen
A Yemeni journalist was reportedly injured in an alleged drone strike while fleeing the site of attacks on an Al Qaeda vehicle on the 1st of June 2012 in Shabwa. Only one source, @narrabyee, reported this incident and further information remains unknown. The drone strike could have been a US or Yemeni strike as similar…

Summary

Published
1 June 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 June 2012

Incident Code

USYEM097-B

Location

المحفد, Eastern part of Mahfad, Abyan, Yemen
Alleged US drone strikes killed up to 12 Al Qaeda militants in a compound used for communications and meetings in the eastern part of the al-Mahfad area located in Abyan Province the evening of the 1st of June 2012. There are currently no reports of civilian harm. Albashayer and CNN cited the lowest death toll…

Summary

Published
1 June 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
0–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2012

Incident Code

USYEM094-C

Location

المناسح, Manaseh, Al Bayda, Yemen
Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged US drone strike in the vicinity of the village of Manaseh, close to the town of Rada’a in al-Baydah province during the afternoon of the 28th May, 2012. Between one and five militants linked to Al Qaeda were also reported to have been killed in the strike…

Summary

Published
28 May 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
2
Military actors reported killed
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2012

Incident Code

USYEM095-B

Location

مديرية بروم ميفع, 60 km west of Mukkala, Brom Mayfa district, Abyan, Yemen
Between four and seven Al Qaeda militants were killed in an alleged US drone strike conducted against a car travelling on a coastal road between the towns of Azzan and Mukalla in the Brom Mayfa district in Hadhramout governorate on the 28th of May, 2012. Mareb Press reported that “a U.S. drone killed five Al…

Summary

Published
28 May 2012
Strike Type
Naval bombardment, Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
4–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident