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

30 March 2012

Incident Code

USYEM055-C

Location

عزان, Azzan, Shabwa, Yemen
The second targeted attack in a two-part alleged US airstrike hit an Al Qaeda hideout in Azzan in the Shabwa Province on the 30th of March, 2012, injuring four civilians. The Long War Journal reported that a Predator or Reaper fired missiles at a building which was thought to be occupied by AQAP. The Long…

Summary

Published
30 March 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Residential (Apartment Building)
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21–22 March, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM053-B

Location

زنجبار‎, Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen
According to local Yemen officials, three areas in Zinjibar were struck by alleged US drone strikes or Yemeni military strikes, killing 29 to 30 Al Qaeda fighters and wounding dozens others on March 22, 2012. The website Arab Monitor stated that "dozens" were wounded in the attacks, which targeted alleged Al Qaeda bases. No other…

Summary

Published
22 March 2012
Strike Type
Naval bombardment, Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
29–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 March 2012

Incident Code

USYEM051-B

Location

مسيمر, Al Musaimeer, near Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen
Alleged Yemeni or US strikes on Al Qaeda positions in north-eastern Zinjibar, Abyan province, allegedly killed 14 to 18 belligerents and injured dozens of others on 18 March 2012, sources said. There are currently no reports of civilian harm, though one source, Xinhua, stated that an anonymous Yemen official stated that "it was not clear…

Summary

Published
18 March 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Naval bombardment
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Military actors reported killed
14–18
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 March 2012

Incident Code

USYEM052-C

Location

جعار, Ja'ar, Abyan, Yemen
One civilian was reported injured and eight militants were killed in alleged Yemeni or US airstrikes carried out on the city of Jaar on March 18th 2012, in the governorate of Abyan. According to an Associated Press (AP) report published in the Washington Times, the civilian was injured when a post office being used as…

Summary

Published
18 March 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike, Naval bombardment
Infrastructure
Communications
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2012

Incident Code

USYEM050-B

Location

ٱلْبَيْضَاء‎, Bayda (town), Al Bayda, Yemen
An alleged U.S. drone strike killed four to five alleged AQAP militants and injured five others traveling in a car along an outpost in the Al-Ghunaim area of Shuria district in Al-Bayda Province on 13 March 2012. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. Yemeni security officials stated that the strike was conducted…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 March 2012

Incident Code

USYEM049-B

Location

جبل خنفر, Mount (Jabal) Khanfar, Ja'ar, Abyan, Yemen
An air attack by the US and/or Yemen on a militant-occupied factory where arms were allegedly stored killed three to seven belligerents near Ja’ar the evening of March 11, 2012. Ansar al Sharia, along with other sources, said that US drones carried out the early evening strike, with up to five drones reportedly taking part.…

Summary

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