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

30–31 May, 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi019

Location

Vicinity of Al-Thawra Hospital, Al-Hudaydah, Al-Hudaydah, Yemen
مستشفى الثورة العام، الحديدة
Around midnight on May 30th-May 31st, 2024, at least two civilians were killed and up to 18 civilians were injured, including journalists, as a result of declared US-UK airstrikes on the Hudaydah Radio building located in front of Al-Thawra Hospital in Al Hudayah, Yemen. Four attacks that had been allegedly perpetrated on the building destroyed…

Summary

Published
31 May 2024
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Incident Date

30–31 May, 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi020

Location

Al-Sulayf seaport, Al-Hudaydah, Yemen
ميناء الصليف
Around midnight on May 30th-May 31st, 2024, 14 civilians, including a sailor named Ayoub Abdullah Hassan Zaidan, were killed and 25 other civilians were injured, including one heavily injured sailor, as a result of the declared US-UK airstrike on the Coast Guard building located in the Salif (Al Sulayf) seaport in the Al Hudayhah Governorate,…

Summary

Published
31 May 2024
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Incident Date

30–31 May, 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi021

Location

Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
صنعاء
One civilian was injured as a result of the declared raids perpetrated by US and UK military on Sanaa, Yemen, around midnight on May 30th-May 31st, 2024. According to the statement issued by the Yemeni Armed Forces and posted by the Facebook user Murtada Ahmad Al Mahtouri, four strikes on the capital Sanaa allegedly perpetrated…

Summary

Published
31 May 2024
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Incident Date

22–23 March, 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi018

Location

Al-Hodeidah and Sanaa governorates, Yemen
الحديدة وصنعاء
A number of civilians were reportedly killed and injured by alleged US-UK airstrikes in Yemen on March 22/23, 2024. The Houthi-run Human Rights Ministry, as quoted by Anadolu Agency and Saba News, reported "a number of civilians were killed and injured" by US-UK airstrikes in Yemen. No other information was available as to the number…

Summary

Published
23 March 2024
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Incident Date

29 February 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi017

Location

Vicinity of Al Mukha, Taiz, Yemen
محيط المخا
At least two fishermen, including a 16-year old child, were killed and two others were injured by alleged US airstrikes or Houthi drone strikes off the coast of Al Mukha on February 29, 2024. A tweet from @aalnaasi reported that US aircraft carried out two raids on a Yemeni fishing boat that was sailing near…

Summary

Published
29 February 2024
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Incident Date

24 February 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi015

Location

Shamir, Taiz, Yemen
شامير
One civilian was killed and between six and seven others, including at least one child, were injured by alleged US-UK airstrikes on a telecommunications site in the Shamir area in the Maqbanah District on February 24, 2024. Anadolu Agency quoted the Houthi Al-Masirah satellite channel which reported that "a citizen (civilian) was killed and 6…

Summary

Published
24 February 2024
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