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

16 March 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250316b

Location

Attan neighborhood, Sana'a, Sana'a, Yemen
حي عطان في صنعاء
At least five civilians, including women and children, were reported injured by alleged US airstrikes on the Attan neighborhood of Sana’a, Yemen on March 16, 2025. The US military released a statement that "On March 15, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) initiated an operation consisting of precision strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets across Yemen in order…

Summary

Published
18 March 2025
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Incident Date

16 March 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250316a

Location

Al-Sahqeen district, Sadaa, Yemen
مديرية الصقايق
One civilian was killed and at least one other was injured by alleged US airstrikes on a home in the Al-Sha'af area of Al-Sahqeen district of Sadaa, Yemen, on March 16, 2025. The home reportedly belonged to Abdul Rab Jarfan, a member of the Houthi Movement's intelligence wing, who was also reportedly killed. The US…

Summary

Published
18 March 2025
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Incident Date

15 March 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250315a

Location

Al Jraf neighborhood in Al Suub district, Sanaa, Sana'a, Yemen
حي الجراف في مديرية الشعوب ’
At least nine civilians were reported killed and up to 18 others were injured by alleged US airstrikes on a home in Bir Zaid neighborhood of Al-Jiraf area, Shu’ub District, Sana'a, Yemen on March 15, 2025. At least two women and two children were among those injured. Most sources referred to strikes on the Al-Jaraf…

Summary

Published
18 March 2025
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Incident Date

15–16 March, 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250315b

Location

Qahza area, Sadaa, Sadaa, Yemen
منطقة قحزة، صعدة
At least ten civilians, including a woman and nine children, were reported killed and at least 10 others, including women and five children, were injured by alleged US airstrikes on the home of the al-Ruqa'a [Roga'ah] family in the Qahza area of Saada, Yemen during the night on March 15/16, 2025. The US military released…

Summary

Published
15 March 2025
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Incident Date

10 September 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi023

Location

Vicinity of Aisha school, Al-Jund area, Taiz, Yemen
جوار مدرسة عائشة للبنات، الجند، تعز
On Tuesday, 10th September 2024, at least two girls were killed and 17 others injured in alleged UK-US airstrikes at the Umm Al-Mu'minin Aisha School in Al-Jund area, Taiz District, Yemen. Local sources reported that two female students from the Umm Al-Mu'minin Aisha School for girls were killed during the incident: Hamas Abdullah Abedalsalam who was…

Summary

Published
10 October 2024
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Incident Date

13 June 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi022

Location

Al-Jabin District, Raymah, Yemen
مديرية الجبين، ريمة
Two airstrikes allegedly conducted by the US military, possibly with the support of the UK military, injured up to nine civilians and killed two others shortly before 2:40 PM on Thursday, June 13th, 2024, at a radio building in the government complex in Al-Jabin (Jubain) District, Raymah Governorate, western Yemen. According to Facebook user Nabil,…

Summary

Published
10 October 2024
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