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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

21 September 2011

Incident Code

USYEM037-B

Location

Al Mahfed, Abyan, Yemen
المحفد
On 21 September, 2011, alleged US airstrikes on the town of Al-Mahfad were said to have killed four suspected AQAP militants, according to numerous sources. Initial claims that high-profile Al Qaeda officials such as Anwar al-Awlaki, Fahd al-Quso and Said al-Shihri may have been present and killed in the strike were later proven false. There…

Summary

Published
21 September 2011
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Incident Date

21 September 2011

Incident Code

USYEM038-B

Location

Shaqra, Abyan, Yemen
شقرة
On September 21 2011, alleged US airstrikes on the town of Shaqra in Yemen’s southern Abyan province killed six to seven alleged AQAP militants. One outlet, AFP, stated that three alleged militants were injured in the strike. There are no reported cases of civilian harm. Aden Online and Long War Journal put the number of…

Summary

Published
21 September 2011
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Incident Date

9 September 2011

Incident Code

USYEM036-C

Location

Jaar, Abyan, Yemen
جعار
A single source, @AdenHurra, reported that "a number of civilians were killed and wounded after warplanes bombed the city of Jaar", adding that the bombing occurred in the "outskirts of the city". It is unknown whether Yemeni forces, US forces, or another belligerent, were to be blamed for this incident. There is no other information available…

Summary

Published
9 September 2011
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Incident Date

7 September 2011

Incident Code

USYEM035-B

Location

Al Mahfed, Abyan, Yemen
المحفد
An alleged US Predator drone strike struck a makeshift Al Qaeda checkpoint in Mihfed, Abyan Province killing up to 10 members of Al Qaeda and wounding as many as dozens more. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. AFP reported that a local security official said that the US drone strike had killed…

Summary

Published
7 September 2011
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Incident Date

5 September 2011

Incident Code

USYEM032-C

Location

Jaar Grand Mosque, Abyan, Yemen
مسجد جعار الكبير
Up to seven civilians were killed and three to five others, including a child, were injured in alleged Yemeni or US airstrikes against the Grand Mosque in Jaar on the 5th of September, 2011. Civilians Jaber Qassem Salem (72), Hazza Ahmed Atta Baheb, Haidara Mohsen Ali al-Abidi were killed and Omar Qassem (11) among other…

Summary

Published
5 September 2011
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Incident Date

5 September 2011

Incident Code

USYEM033-C

Location

Al-Razi Hospital, Jaar, Abyan, Yemen
مشفى الرازي في جعار
Dozens of Al Qaeda linked militants were killed and injured during an alleged airstrike conducted by the Yemeni armed forces targeting the al-Razi hospital in Jaar on September 5th, 2011. Up to two civilians may have been killed in this attack. AFP quoted a medical official in Al-Razi hospital in Jaar, who confirmed the toll…

Summary

Published
5 September 2011
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