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

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr052

LOCATION

موجان, Mojan, Abyan, Yemen

US Navy warships reportedly bombarded alleged AQAP targets in the vicinity of Mojan, al-Maraqisha area of Abyan, overnight from March 29th to March 30th. There were no known reports of civilian casualties. Multiple sources indicated that continuous fire from warships off the Abyan coast targeted various AQAP sites in the mountainous al-Maraqisha area, including Mojan

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), 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
4
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr204

LOCATION

المشيريف, Mashreif valley, Al Bayda, Yemen

One source, Yemen Shabab, reported that a US drone strike had killed three alleged AQAP militants driving in the Mashreif area of Bayda governorate, on August 22nd 2019. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. One other Twitter source, @tlaal661, suggested on August 22nd that a “second” US strike had targeted AQAP in

Summary

First published
August 22, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
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
3
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr213

LOCATION

الأحمر, جبل سقاه, Al Ahmar camps, Jabal Sakah, Shabwa, Yemen

Two local-language Twitter sources reported that US drone strikes targeted “terrorist groups” in “Al-Ahmar camps” in the Azan and Al Houta area, Shabwa governorate.  No other known sources alleged US strikes, and no information was available on casualties. There were no known reports of civilian harm. Since the first known report of this event, from

Summary

First published
September 24, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
View Incident

Incident date

May 15, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM013-N

LOCATION

أَبْيَن , Abyan province, Abyan, Yemen

An anonymous Yemen defence ministry official claimed that a significant number of US drone strikes had taken place between mid-May and mid-June 2011. Strikes began in Shabwa province from May 3 onwards. According to The National, 15 US strikes took place between June 1 and June 15, including one on June 11 in which there

Summary

First published
May 15, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
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 23, 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250323a

LOCATION

بالقرب من مدرسة أبو بكر الصديق، مديرية معين، صنعاء, Vicinity of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq School, Ma'in District, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen

At least one civilian, a child, was killed and up to fifteen others wounded – including five children and two women – by an alleged US airstrike on a residential building in the Ma’in District of Yemen’s capital, Sana’a during the evening of 23 March, 2025. The strike reportedly hit the building in front of

Summary

First published
March 23, 2025
Last updated
April 29, 2025
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Commerce, Market, Residential, Vehicle
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
12–15
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
Named victims
2 named
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

April 11, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM059-B

LOCATION

العين, Loder village, Al Ain, Lawdar district, Abyan, Yemen

On the evening of Wednesday April 11th 2012, an airstrike allegedly by Yemeni forces or US drone strikes which hit a car with suspected Al Qaeda militants killed between two and fourteen militants and injuring between seven and 10 others, near the town of Lawder in the Abyan governorate, an area on a key highway

Summary

First published
April 11, 2012
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
2–14
Belligerents reported injured
7–10
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr121

LOCATION

غرب مرخة العليا, West of Merkhat Al Olya, Shabwa, Yemen

A US strike killed seven AQAP militants in Shabwa governorate on November 25th 2017, a US Central Command spokesperson told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. This confirmed earlier local reports that a US drone strike had killed at least three alleged AQAP militants in a Wadi, in the Merkhat Al Olya district of Shabwa, on

Summary

First published
November 25, 2017
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 target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
5–8
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM092-B

LOCATION

جعار, Ja'ar, Abyan, Yemen

In a second reported strike in Jaar on May 27th 2012, a house allegedly used as a meeting place by AQAP militants was “pounded” by warplanes, reported Xinhua. Ten alleged AQAP fighters were killed including two local leaders according to a tribal chief. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. Xinhua did not

Summary

First published
May 27, 2012
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
10
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr150

LOCATION

مديرية العبر, Al Abr District, Hadramaut, Yemen

Up to four alleged AQAP militants, including a leadership figure, were reportedly killed by a US drone strike in Zamakh and Manakh, in the Al Abr district of Hadramout governorate, between the evening of March 4th-5th 2018. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Late on March 5th, local language sources including @SkyNewsArabia_B

Summary

First published
March 4, 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 target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
2–4
View Incident

Incident date

March 1, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr022

LOCATION

جسيمة, Jasima, Al Bayda, Yemen

Multiple sources reported that US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in al-Jasima, in the Qaifa area of Bayda governorate, overnight from March 1st to March 2nd. Mareb Press reported that the strikes killed one and wounded another, apparently with reference to alleged militants. There were no known reports of civilian casualties. The reported strikes were

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)
Belligerents reported killed
1
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr066

LOCATION

الأدوس, Al Adwas, Hadramaut, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants travelling in a car near Al-Adwas, Hadramout governorate, likely overnight from April 2nd to April 3rd. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources including YN News reported that AQAP militants were targeted, and one specified that they were targeted while in a

Summary

First published
April 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
View Incident

Incident date

January 28, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr142

LOCATION

البحري, Al Bahri, Ma'rib, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly killed at least one alleged AQAP militant in Marib governorate, according to some local language social media accounts, though others suggested that he was an officer in the Yemen army. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Most sources indicated that Muhammad Talib Saleh Al-Faqir was killed in

Summary

First published
January 28, 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)
Belligerents reported killed
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

January 2, 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr216

LOCATION

الجراف/حدة, Al Jarf/Hadda, Sana'a, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly targeted Abdul Reza Shahlai, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Qods Force commander in Sana’a, overnight from January 2nd-3rd 2020. While initial reports suggested that Shahlai had been killed in the strike, official sources later indicated that he had survived. There was some indication that another Iranian soldier was killed, however.

Summary

First published
January 2, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Other
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2009

Incident Code

USYEM002-C

LOCATION

المعجلة, Al Majala, Abyan, Yemen

At least forty-seven civilians, including at least twenty-two children and twelve women, were reportedly killed after a US cruise-missile strike targeted an alleged AQAP training camp on the edge of Al-Majala village, Mahfad district of Abyan governorate, at around 6 AM on December 17th 2009. This was the first known strike in Yemen approved by

Summary

First published
December 17, 2009
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
47 – 64
(22–23 children12–17 women11–19 men)
Civilians reported injured
23–88
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Named victims
62 named, 11 families identified
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
6–24
Belligerents reported injured
4
View Incident

Incident date

June 21, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM020-C

LOCATION

جامع حمزة في جعار, Hamza Mosque, Jaar, Abyan, Yemen

Up to seven people were killed and four others were wounded in US airstrikes or drone strikes on Hamzah Mosque in Ja’ar on June 21, 2011. At least two of the people killed were identified as possibly being militants. @YemNews1 tweeted that four people were killed when Yemeni warplanes bombed the Hamzah mosque in the

Summary

First published
June 21, 2011
Last updated
May 14, 2025
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Infrastructure
Commerce, Mosque, Religious, Residential, Shop
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
Civilians reported injured
4
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
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Nearby landmark
Belligerents reported killed
0–2
View Incident

Incident date

May 30, 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi021

LOCATION

صنعاء, Sanaa, Yemen

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

First published
May 31, 2024
Last updated
March 27, 2025
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
UK Military, US Forces
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

April 19, 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250419b

LOCATION

مديرية بني مطر, Bani Matar, Sanaa, Yemen

A Facebook post from “Abu Yahya Al-Eryani New” reported that one civilian was killed and one other was wounded by US raids on Bani Matar. Multiple other local sources, including @TvAlmasirah and @Alyemen_One, provided a similar death and injury toll. No other details were found among local sources about the victims. Where sources identified a

Summary

First published
May 12, 2025
Last updated
May 13, 2025
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

April 30, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM071-B

LOCATION

زنجبار‎, Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

An alleged US airstrike struck a vehicle killing at least three supposed Al Qaeda fighters around Zinjibar in Abyan Province on April 30, 2012. At the moment, there are no reports of civilian harm. The Associated Press was informed by a Yemeni military official that the airstrike was one of many that took place that

Summary

First published
April 30, 2012
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
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
3
View Incident

Incident date

August 28, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM121-B

LOCATION

حصن العبر, Abr district, Hadramaut, Yemen

Multiple reports stated that Yemeni military officials acknowledged that a drone strike killed at least two suspected militants, as missiles struck two cars travelling between the Marib and Hadramout provinces in eastern Yemen on August 28th, 2012. While American drones have been utilized in this area, Yemeni military officials did not specify the nation involved.

Summary

First published
August 28, 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
2–3
View Incident

Incident date

July 9, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr090

LOCATION

الصبار, الوضيع, Al Sabbar, Al Wade'a District, Abyan, Yemen

US drone strikes targeted AQAP sites in the  Sabar area of Wadea district in Abyan province, late on July 9th 2017, a Yemeni military official told Xinhua. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to Xinhua, “Overnight airstrikes launched by a U.S. drone hit a number of al-Qaida-held sites in Yemen’s turbulent

Summary

First published
July 9, 2017
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 belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
1
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr002

LOCATION

مديرية الصومعة, Al Sama'a, Al Bayda, Yemen

There were some unconfirmed reports of a January 21st US drone strike in Sama’a, al-Bayda province, killing up to three alleged AQAP militants. The strike was reported to have occurred in the same general area as a second, confirmed strike on the same day. All but one source said that three militants had died in

Summary

First published
January 21, 2017
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 belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
3–4
View Incident

Incident date

March 5, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr038-C

LOCATION

يكلا, Yakla, Al Bayda, Yemen

Several sources reported that brothers Ahmad Abdullah Muhammad Al-Sanbahi Al-Khubezi, aged twelve, and Muhammad Abdullah Muhammad Al-Sanbahi Al-Khubezi, aged ten, were killed by a US strike in Yakla, in the Qifah area of Bayda governorate, overnight from March 5th to March 6th. According to Hunaradaa, local residents said that an older brother, Omar, survived the

Summary

First published
March 5, 2017
Last updated
May 12, 2025
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Infrastructure
Car, Road, Transportation, Vehicle
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(2 children)
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
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
0–5
View Incident

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr078

LOCATION

الطريق بين الحوطة و عزان, Road between Al Hawtah and Azzan, Shabwa, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly killed at least two alleged AQAP militants travelling in the Hotat al-Faqih Ali area of Mayfa’a district in Shabwa governorate, late on April 18th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Though most local language social media sources and other media, such as Sahafahnet, reported that two

Summary

First published
April 18, 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
2–5
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr187

LOCATION

الجرشة, Al Jarsha, Ma'rib, Yemen

A US drone raid, involving two airstrikes, reportedly killed two alleged AQAP militants in Al Jarsha, in the Juba district of Marib governorate, late on January 21st 2019, according to some local sources. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. One source, Shafah, named one of those killed as Ali Nasser Al-Faqir, “the

Summary

First published
January 21, 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

May 16, 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr227

LOCATION

زنجبار‎, Arqoub, Abyan, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly killed an alleged AQAP leadership figure in the Arqoub area of Abyan governorate, on May 16th 2020. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Local sources told Yemen Press Agency that a May 16th strike had targeted AQAP leader Saad Al-Atiqi Al-Awlaki: “An American drone strike on Saturday

Summary

First published
May 16, 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 target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident