US Forces in Yemen

Mabkhout Ali al Ameri with his 18-month old son Mohammed, shortly after a botched US raid on al Ghayil in January 2017 had killed at least 20 villagers, including Mohammed's mother Fatim Saleh Mohsen. © Iona Craig

Belligerent
US Forces
Country
Yemen
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Strike Status
Strike Type
Infrastructure

Incident date

January 12, 2010

Incident Code

USYEM006-B

LOCATION

شبوة, Shabwa, Yemen

Alleged Al Qaeda local commander Abdullah Mehdar, suspected leader of the Al Qaeda cell in the Houta region, was reportedly killed by Yemen security forces, possibly with the assistance of US forces, on the evening of 12th January 2010 in Shabwa province, 375 miles east of Sana’a. There were no known associated reports of civilian

Summary

First published
January 12, 2010
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Province/governorate
Belligerents reported killed
1–2
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

March 21, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM053-B

LOCATION

زنجبار‎, Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

According to local Yemen officials, three areas in Zinjibar were struck by alleged US drone strikes or Yemeni military strikes, killing 29 to 30 Al Qaeda fighters and wounding dozens others on March 22, 2012. The website Arab Monitor stated that “dozens” were wounded in the attacks, which targeted alleged Al Qaeda bases. No other

Summary

First published
March 22, 2012
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
29–30
Belligerents reported injured
12–24
View Incident

Incident date

June 1, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM097-B

LOCATION

المحفد, Eastern part of Mahfad, Abyan, Yemen

Alleged US drone strikes killed up to 12 Al Qaeda militants in a compound used for communications and meetings in the eastern part of the al-Mahfad area located in Abyan Province the evening of the 1st of June 2012. There are currently no reports of civilian harm. Albashayer and CNN cited the lowest death toll

Summary

First published
June 1, 2012
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
0–12
View Incident

Incident date

January 19, 2013

Incident Code

USYEM142-N

LOCATION

وادي عبيدة, Wadi Abida, Ma'rib, Yemen

On January 19th 2013, between 7 and 10:30 pm, the first of three alleged US drone strikes in the Wadi Abidah region in al-Hatik in Marib struck an orange farm in the populated Al-Masil area in Al Dsaleel, Ra’ed Fadi Abdullah. There were no reported casualties, civilian or militant but according to eyewitnesses, the strike

Summary

First published
January 19, 2013
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Neighbourhood/area
View Incident

Incident date

November 12, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr116-C

LOCATION

وادي الحيات, Wadi Al Hayat, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US Central Command spokesperson told reporters that a strike had killed two alleged ISIS militants in Bayda governorate on November 12th 2017. This confirmed earlier reports that a US drone strike in the Dhi Kalib area of Qayfa had killed two at noon on that date. Two sources suggested that one of those killed

Summary

First published
November 12, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
ISIS - Yemen
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
1–2
View Incident

Incident date

November 8, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM044-N

LOCATION

الرميلة, Rumeila, north of Ja’ar, Abyan, Yemen

The militant stronghold of Rumeila was targeted by “five US drone strikes,” according to an unnamed Yemeni official based in Jaar. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. According to AFP: “Meanwhile, Rumeila, north of Jaar, which itself is an Al-Qaeda stronghold, was also targeted Tuesday by ‘five US drone strikes,’ the same

Summary

First published
November 8, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr136

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US strike targeted ISIS in Bayda governorate on January 12th 2018, a US Central Command spokesperson later told Long War Journal. No other known sources reported a US strike against ISIS at that time. It is possible that this statement referred to one of the US strikes reportedly conducted in Qayfa on January 12th

Summary

First published
January 12, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
ISIS - Yemen
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr020

LOCATION

جعار, Ja'ar, Al Bayda, Yemen

Multiple sources reported that several US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Sama’a district of Bayda governorate at dawn on March 2nd 2017. There were no reports on any casualties. Several sources suggested that more than thirty airstrikes took place.  According to al-Ain, the strikes were conducted by American F-16 jets and helicopters, while

Summary

First published
March 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

March 31, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr060

LOCATION

مديرية مودية, Al Bazqama and Riman area, Mudiyah District, Abyan, Yemen

Reported US drone strikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Al Bazqama and Riman area of Mudiyah, Abyan governorate at dawn on March 31st 2017.  There were no known reports of civilian casualties, though some sources claimed that a civilian farm had been destroyed. Alittihad reported that, according to a local source, three strikes took

Summary

First published
March 31, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
2–3
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr133

LOCATION

ذي كالب , Dhi Kalib, Al Bayda, Yemen

At least five alleged AQAP militants were killed in the course of at least four reported US drone strikes in Qayfa, Bayda governorate, on the evening of January 12th 2018.  According to local-language news sources, at least one strike targeted the area of Dhi Kalib village. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Summary

First published
January 12, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

September 2, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr211

LOCATION

عقبة القنذع, Aqaba Al Qandha, Al Bayda, Yemen

Three US drone strikes reportedly targeted a convoy of alleged AQAP militants travelling through Aqaba Al Qandha area of Shabwa governorate, on the morning of September 2nd 2019. No known sources gave information on casualties of the strikes, and there were no known associated reports of civilian harm. “Private sources” told Shabwa Press that US

Summary

First published
September 2, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr092

LOCATION

جبل المراقشه, Jabal Al Maraqisha, Abyan, Yemen

Multiple sources reported that US airstrikes, or possibly US naval strikes, targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Al Maraqisha area of Abyan governorate, late on July 23rd 2017. Other sources reported similar strikes in the area the previous night, though did not assign responsibility to the US. There were no known reports of civilian harm.

Summary

First published
July 23, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

August 10, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM120-B

LOCATION

جعار, Jaar, Abyan, Yemen

An alleged US drone attack killed 3 Al Qaeda militants and injured “many” who were gathering in a farm on the outskirts of Jaar in Abyan Province on the 10th of August 2012 in the evening. There are no current reports of civilian harm. The farm which is where the militants were supposedly meeting was

Summary

First published
August 10, 2012
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Town
Belligerents reported killed
3
Belligerents reported injured
5–10
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250330b

LOCATION

مديرية بني قيس بمحافظة حجة, Bani Qais District, Hajjah, Yemen

A child was injured and two people were killed by two alleged US drone strikes on the district of Bani Qais in Hajjah, Yemen during the morning of 30 March, 2025. A photograph shared by Facebook user Abu Hassein Shabien showed remnants of a fire next to what appears to be a charred body. Quoting

Summary

First published
March 30, 2025
Last updated
May 22, 2025
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Infrastructure
Residential, Vehicle
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Geolocation
District
View Incident

Incident date

August 1, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM026-B

LOCATION

مديرية زنجبار, Al-Khamila, Abyan, Yemen

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

First published
August 1, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
13–16
Belligerents reported injured
17–32
View Incident

Incident date

April 23, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM067-B

LOCATION

لودر, Lawdar, Abyan, Yemen

On 23rd April 2012, at 10:30 am, the Yemen army and/or US military allegedly conducted a strike in Loder, Abyan province killing between four to 17 suspected AQAP militants, with some sources attributing the militant deaths to artillery bombardment. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. Bikyamasr reported that the strike was carried

Summary

First published
April 23, 2012
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
4–17
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr145

LOCATION

مديريه القريشيه, Al Quraishyah District, Al Bayda, Yemen

Six alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed by a US drone strike in the Al-Atf area in the Qayfa region of Bayda governorate, on the evening of February 11th 2018, according to AFP. Several sources, however, instead suggested that the strike killed at least five pro-Hadi fighters, unaffiliated with AQAP. There were no known associated

Summary

First published
February 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known targets
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Other
Belligerents reported killed
5–6
Belligerents reported injured
2–5
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr190

LOCATION

معسكر الحازمية السلفي, Salafiya Al Hazmiya Camp, Al Bayda, Yemen

A number of US drone strikes reportedly targeted pro-government fighters in Hazmiya district in Bayda governorate, on March 25th 2019, killing at least five and injuring eight others.  A few sources instead indicated that a UAE drone had conducted the strikes, and one suggested that a Houthi ballistic missile was responsible for reported casualties.  Though

Summary

First published
March 25, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Saudi-led Coalition, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
5–7
Belligerents reported injured
8
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr036

LOCATION

وادي يشبم, Wadi Yashbum, Shabwa, Yemen

Several social media sources reported that US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP sites in Wadi Yashbum, Saeed district of Shabwa, overnight from March 4th to March 5th.  There were no known reports of civilian harm. One Twitter source, writing at 2am, suggested that eight airstrikes took place in the area. The Yashbum Valley area was subject

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr074

LOCATION

مودية, Northern outskirts of Mudiyah, Abyan, Yemen

A US naval strike reportedly targeted an alleged AQAP site on the northern outskirts of Mudiyah town, Abyan governorate, on the evening of April 16th 2017. There were no reported associated civilian or militant casualties. According to Aden al-Ghad, a missile exploded in Al Qassarat area, according to locals, but left no casualties. This was

Summary

First published
April 16, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike, Naval bombardment
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

August 1, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr177-C

LOCATION

الروضة, Al Rawda, Ma'rib, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly targeted a house in the Al Rawda area of Marib governorate on August 1st 2018, killing four and wounding others. One source, The Yemen, indicating that those killed were civilians: “Today, Wednesday, local sources said that four civilians were killed and others wounded, following a US air strike on a

Summary

First published
August 1, 2018
Last updated
May 12, 2025
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
4
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

April 25, 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr223

LOCATION

بين الخدراء والنبيق, Al Khudra and Al Nabeeq, Shabwa, Yemen

One or more US drone strikes reportedly killed at least six alleged AQAP militants between the towns of Al Khudra and Al Nabeeq, in the Beihan district of Shabwa governorate, on the afternoon of April 25th 2020. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Yemeni tribal and security sources told Associated Press, on

Summary

First published
April 25, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected targets
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Other
Belligerents reported killed
6
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2021

Incident Code

USYEMBi004-C

LOCATION

عقبة امقوة, Aqba Amkawa, Shabwa, Yemen

At least one civilian was killed and another civilian, a woman, was injured in alleged Saudi Coalition or US drone strikes on the Olaya Markha district of Shabwa governorate. Sources were conflicted about whether the other two to three people killed and two to three people wounded were civilians or members of Al Qaeda. A Facebook

Summary

First published
November 13, 2021
Last updated
May 12, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Car, Vehicle
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Saudi-led Coalition, US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Named victims
5 named, 2 families identified
Belligerents reported killed
1–4
Belligerents reported injured
0–2
View Incident

Incident date

February 29, 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi017

LOCATION

محيط المخا, Vicinity of Al Mukha, Taiz, Yemen

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

First published
February 29, 2024
Last updated
May 9, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Impact
Food
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Named victims
4 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

April 13, 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250413b

LOCATION

حي النهضة السكني، صَنْعَاء, Al-Nahda neighbourhood, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen

A civilian was killed, in addition to between four and six Houthi leaders and members, by alleged US airstrikes on Al-Nahda neighborhood in the Al-Thawra district of Sanaa, Yemen on April 13, 2025. A tweet from @AlHudhudmag reported that one person was killed by a US attack on the Al-Nahda residential neighborhood in the Al-Thawra

Summary

First published
April 28, 2025
Last updated
May 13, 2025
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Houthi Forces
Geolocation
Neighbourhood/area
Belligerents reported killed
4–6
View Incident