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

439 – 634

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 149 separate alleged incidents.

90 – 110
children likely killed
38 – 57
women likely killed
470
likely injured
421
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
534 – 816
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Yemen.
149 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
439 – 634
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S. Forces
95 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
35 – 48
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
28 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
435 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

8 November 2011

Incident Code

USYEM044-N

Location

Rumeila, north of Ja’ar, Abyan, Yemen
الرميلة
The militant stronghold of Rumeila was targeted by "five US drone strikes," according to an unnamed Yemeni official based in Jaar. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. According to AFP: "Meanwhile, Rumeila, north of Jaar, which itself is an Al-Qaeda stronghold, was also targeted Tuesday by 'five US drone strikes,' the same…

Summary

Published
8 November 2011
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Incident Date

27 October 2011

Incident Code

USYEM043-B

Location

Shaqra, Abyan, Yemen
شقرة
Three militants, reportedly members of Al Qaeda, were killed and six more wounded in a suspected US airstrike or drone strike on Shaqra, east of Zinjibar, on October 27th, 2011, sources said. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. The strike reportedly hit alleged militants in Shaqra, east of Zinjibar, the provincial capital…

Summary

Published
27 October 2011
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Incident Date

14 October 2011

Incident Code

USYEM042-C

Location

Harib district, Ma'rib, Yemen
حريب
Saleh Qaid Toayman and his 14-year-old son Jalal were reportedly killed in an alleged overnight US airstrike in Azzan on October 14, 2011, according to local reports. Saleh and Jalal were grazing camels "in an area known to be controlled by Al Qaeda,’" and had then slept by a mosque, according to Toayman’s 15-year-old son Azzedine,…

Summary

Published
14 October 2011
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Incident Date

14 October 2011

Incident Code

USYEM041-C

Location

Azzan, Shabwa, Yemen
عزان
A series of up to six confirmed US drone and/or airstrikes across Azzan killed up to 24 people, including two children, on October 14, 2011. The others killed were reportedly Al Qaeda militants. In the first of several attacks on this day, a drone attack struck a house in the Azan district of Shabwa, targeting…

Summary

Published
14 October 2011
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Incident Date

5 October 2011

Incident Code

USYEM040-B

Location

Al Arqoub, east of Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen
زنجبار‎
Between five and 10 militants, reportedly members of Al Qaeda, were killed and seven more were wounded in a US strike or strikes on Arqoub, east of Zinjibar on October 5, 2011, sources said. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. The strike reportedly targeted alleged militant hideouts in al Arqoub, east of…

Summary

Published
5 October 2011
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Incident Date

30 September 2011

Incident Code

USYEM039-B

Location

Jawf, Al Jawf, Yemen
الجوف
Four AQAP militants were killed in a confirmed CIA drone strike on Jawf, reports said. There are currently no reports of civilian harm from this strike. Anwar al Awlaki, the US-born cleric, apparently became the first US citizen to be deliberately killed by the CIA in a drone strike, part of Operation Troy. The attack…

Summary

Published
30 September 2011
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