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

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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Incident Date

31 August–1 September, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM030-B

Location

Abyan, Abyan, Yemen
أبين
US airstrikes killed up to 33 militants, with no civilian harm reported in Abyan province between August 31 2011 to September 1 2011. Multiple sources claimed the militants killed in the alleged airstrike were Al Qaeda militants. Some sources reported the alleged strike was carried out by Yemeni air force warplanes, however others claim it…

Summary

Published
31 August 2011
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Incident Date

25 August 2011

Incident Code

USYEM029-B

Location

Wadi Hassan, Abyan, Yemen
وادي حسان
An alleged US drone strike that took place on Wadi Hassan, south Zinjibar was reported to kill up to eight militants, with no civilian harm reported, on August 25th 2011. Eight suspected Al Qaeda-linked militants were killed in the airstrike. Multiple sources named a local Al Qaeda leader Abu Jaber al Sanaai as killed in…

Summary

Published
25 August 2011
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Incident Date

24 August 2011

Incident Code

USYEM028-B

Location

Al Arqoub, Abyan, Yemen
العرقوب)
On Aug. 24, 2011, numerous outlets such as the Associated Press, AFP, and CNN reported that between four and six suspected Al Qaeda militants were killed and others were wounded in alleged Yemeni or US strikes in the area of Arkoub in Yemen’s Abyan province, which was overrun by Al Qaeda in May 2011. There…

Summary

Published
24 August 2011
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Incident Date

1 August 2011

Incident Code

USYEM026-B

Location

Al-Khamila, Abyan, Yemen
مديرية زنجبار
Three drone strikes taking place on August 1st 2011, allegedly by US drones or Yemeni airplanes, killed up to 16 suspected Al Qaeda fighters and wounded up to 32 others in various areas of Zinjibar according to military officials. One report stated that the drones were acting in conjunction with the Yemeni government, but the…

Summary

Published
1 August 2011
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Incident Date

29 July 2011

Incident Code

USYEM025-B

Location

Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen
زنجبار
Between five and 14 militants were killed and 50 others were wounded in alleged US or Yemeni airstrikes or drone strikes on the city of Zinjibar on July 29, 2011. In a tweet from @YusraAIA, Yemeni aircraft were identified as being used as “camouflage” to cover up U.S. drone strikes. According to @FADHLESAY, fourteen people…

Summary

Published
29 July 2011
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