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

443 – 642

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 152 separate alleged incidents.

90 – 110
children likely killed
38 – 57
women likely killed
470
likely injured
424
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
539 – 824
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Yemen.
152 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
443 – 642
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S. Forces
97 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
39 – 52
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
30 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
57 – 130
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
25 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
0 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S. Forces in Yemen

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

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444 incidents
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Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

5 October 2015

Incident Code

USYEM239d

Location

Yemen, Yemen
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that during the funeral for two people killed two days earlier (documented in USYEM239c), another drone strike killed two others on October 5, 2016. OHCHR attributed the drone strike to the US Air Force, in cooperation with the Government of Yemen. A…

Summary

Published
20 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2015

Incident Code

USYEM239c

Location

مَأْرِب, Ma'rib, Yemen
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that according to "reports received", two internally displaced persons from Jawf were killed by a drone attack in eastern Ma'rib on October 3, 2015. OHCHR attributed the drone strike to the US Air Force, in cooperation with the Government of Yemen. There…

Summary

Published
20 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 May 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250502a

Location

حي عصر، صَنْعَاء‎, Asr neighbourhood, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
Three people were reported injured by an alleged US airstrike on the Asr area of Sanaa during the evening of 2 May, 2025. All of the sources quoted the Ministry of Health, which reported that three citizens were injured by US "aggression" in the Asr area in Al-Wahda district. Facebook user Earok explained that the…

Summary

Published
20 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 May 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250505b

Location

شارع المطار مديرية بني الحارث، صنعاء, Airport Street, Bani Al-Harith District, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
The Ministry of Health and Environment provided a statement to the Yemeni News Agency (Saba) that announced that a citizen was injured by US raids on Airport (Al-Matar) Street in the Bani Al-Harith District of Sanaa. Multiple sources, including @AlMayadeenLive and the Facebook page of the Public Health and Population Office, Al Hudaydah Governorate, quoted…

Summary

Published
20 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 May 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250505a

Location

شارع الأربعين، منطقة سعوان، منطقة شعوب، صنعاء, Al-Arbaeen Street, Saawan area, Shu'ub District, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
At least 14 people were reported injured by an alleged bombardment on Al-Arbaeen Street in the Sha’oub District of Yemen’s capital, Sana’a on 5 May, 2025. While most sources alleged US involvement, one source claimed the damage was due to a failed Houthi missile launched in an attempt to “intercept a US reconnaissance plane”. While…

Summary

Published
20 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Commerce, Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported injured
14–16
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250429a

Location

صرف، بني حشيش, Sarf area, Bani Hushaish district, Sanaa, Yemen
A man and his son were injured by alleged US airstrikes on the Al-Daqiq/Al-Sabah Sardeef neighbourhood of Sanaa,Yemen on April 29, 2025. Multiple sources, including @mashhadyemeni and @alymennet, reported that the US carried out two airstrikes on the Bani Hashish district, east of Sanaa Governorate. Middle East Eye spoke with a survivor of the strikes,…

Summary

Published
16 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident