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

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

USYEMBi016

Location

Sofan, Sana'a, Yemen
حي صوفان
Two civilians were injured by an alleged US-UK strike on the Sofan neighborhood of Sana'a on February 24, 2024. Abdullah Ahmad Obaidi Al Rabi’i posted on Facebook that "on my way back home in the Sofan neighborhood, I encountered this missile strike by the American-British aggression occurring dozens of meters away in a densely populated…

Summary

Published
24 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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Incident Date

2 February 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi014

Location

ِAl Jar farms, Hajjah, Yemen
مزارع الجار
A farm worker was injured by alleged US-UK airstrikes on a farm in the “Al-Jar Farms” area in Abs District on February 2, 2024. According to Jameel Ahmad, American-British fighter jets launched four airstrikes against former President "Ali Saleh’s farm in the “Al-Jar Farms” area in Abs District," which was a farm that the Houthis…

Summary

Published
2 February 2024
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Incident Date

22 June 2023

Incident Code

USYEMBi012

Location

Al-Kour, Shabwa, Yemen
الكور
Three Al Qaeda members were killed by alleged US drone strikes on the Al-Kour area in Shabwa on June 22, 2023. 26sep News reported that American strikes on the Al-Kour area in Shabwa resulted in the death of three Al Qaeda members. There are no additional details about those who were killed available. All of…

Summary

Published
22 June 2023
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Incident Date

15 June 2023

Incident Code

USYEMBi011

Location

Al Musinaa, Shabwa, Yemen
المصينعة
An Al Qaeda leader was killed and four soldiers in the Shabwa Defense Forces were injured by alleged US drone strikes in Al Musinaa in Shabwa governorate on June 15, 2023. A tweet from @aboalfatl2019 reported that "leader" Abu Muhammad al-Shalwani al-Awlaki was killed by American drones in Shaab Madhab in the Musinaa area. @egl3000…

Summary

Published
15 June 2023
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