Drone strikes in Yemen

The US first said that it used targeted killing in November 2002, with the cooperation and approval of the Yemeni government.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6FKf0ocxEPAC&q=%22targeted+killing%22&pg=PA542|title=The Law of Armed Conflict: International Humanitarian Law in War|author=Gary D. Solis|isbn=978-0-521-87088-7|publisher=Cambridge University Press|pages=538–47|year=2010|access-date=May 19, 2010|author-link=Gary D. Solis|archive-date=February 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217153405/https://books.google.com/books?id=6FKf0ocxEPAC&q=%22targeted+killing%22&pg=PA542|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7nsuAAAAIBAJ&pg=2811,1484648&dq=targeted-killing&hl=en|author=Walter Pincus|title=U.S. Says Yemen Aided Missile Strike|work=The Daily Gazette|date=November 26, 2002|access-date=May 20, 2010|archive-date=September 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904041722/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7nsuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7YkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2811,1484648&dq=targeted-killing&hl=en|url-status=live}}

On November 5, 2002, Al-Qaeda operatives in a car traveling through Yemen were killed in a targeted killing by a missile launched from a CIA-controlled Predator drone.{{citation

| author =Jeffrey Addicott

| date =November 7, 2002

| url =http://www.jurist.org/forum/forumnew68.php

| title =The Yemen Attack: Illegal Assassination or Lawful Killing?

| work =HTML

| access-date =April 26, 2006

| archive-date =January 11, 2017

| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170111044451/http://www.jurist.org/forum/forumnew68.php

| url-status =live

}}

In 2004, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC-TV) international-affairs program Foreign Correspondent investigated the targeted killing and the involvement of the US ambassador as part of a report entitled "The Yemen Option". The report examined evolving tactics and countermeasures in dealing with al-Qaeda-inspired attacks.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2004/s1054112.htm |title=Foreign Correspondent – 02/03/2004: The Yemen Option |publisher=Abc.net.au |access-date=April 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906170650/http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2004/s1054112.htm |archive-date=September 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

According to The Times, in 2010 the United States, in cooperation with Yemeni officials, launched four cruise missiles at suspected terrorist targets in Yemen. According to the Times, Yemen asked the United States to suspend the strikes after one of the missiles killed a pro-Yemeni tribal leader, Sheikh Jaber al-Shabwani, the deputy governor of Marib province, resulting in his tribe turning against the Yemeni government. The Times also stated that U.S. special forces troops were on the ground in Yemen helping to hunt al-Qaeda operatives.Tomlinson, Hugh, Michael Evans, and Iona Craig, "US Attacks Al-Qaeda In Yemen", The Times, 9 December 2010.

An estimated 98 US drone attacks were conducted in Yemen from 2002 to 2015: 41 in 2012, 26 in 2013 and 14 in 2014.{{cite web|last1=Roggio|first1=Bill|last2=Barry|first2=Bob|title=Charting the data for US air strikes in Yemen, 2002 - 2014|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/multimedia/Yemen/code/Yemen-strike.php|website=The Long War Journal|access-date=16 June 2014|archive-date=July 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706233247/http://www.longwarjournal.org/multimedia/Yemen/code/Yemen-strike.php|url-status=dead}}

Early in 2002 the Bush administration approved sending about 100 Special Operations Forces to Yemen.[https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/02/international/middleeast/02MILI.html US Broadens Terror Fight, Readying Troops for Yemen], New York Times, March 2, 2002 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114133428/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/02/international/middleeast/02MILI.html |date=November 14, 2012 }}

Six Yemeni suspected al-Qaeda members were blown up in their car in Marib province in November 2002 by a Hellfire missile from an unmanned CIA Predator drone.{{cite web |url=http://tech.mit.edu/V122/N54/long4-54.54w.html |title=U.S. Citizen Among Those Killed In Yemen Predator Missile Strike – The Tech |publisher=Tech.mit.edu |date=November 8, 2002 |access-date=April 4, 2010 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203204727/http://tech.mit.edu/V122/N54/long4-54.54w.html |url-status=live }} Among the dead were Qaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi (aka Abu Ali al-Harithi), a suspected senior al-Qaeda lieutenant believed to have helped mastermind the October 2000 USS Cole bombing.{{cite web |author=Nyier Abdou |url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/612/re5.htm |title=Death by Predator |work=Al-Ahram Weekly |date=November 20, 2002 |access-date=May 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123030641/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/612/re5.htm |archivedate=January 23, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} Al-Harethi was on a list of targets whose capture or death had been ordered by US President George W. Bush. and Kamal Derwish (aka Ahmed Hijazi), an American.[https://www.nytimes.com/glogin?URI=https://www.nytimes.com/cfr/international/slot3_012506.html&OQ=_rQ3D1Q26pagewantedQ3Dprint&OP=61fd11a5Q2Fjv20j7bQ5C4_bbidjQ5C3_jQ26li2_lQ3BiQ26blQ3B6j46biQ2BQ7BENdpEQ3AQ23Q2Aig6 "Q&A: Targeted Killings"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108190959/https://www.nytimes.com/glogin?URI=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fcfr%2Finternational%2Fslot3_012506.html&OQ=_rQ3D1Q26pagewantedQ3Dprint&OP=61fd11a5Q2Fjv20j7bQ5C4_bbidjQ5C3_jQ26li2_lQ3BiQ26blQ3B6j46biQ2BQ7BENdpEQ3AQ23Q2Aig6 |date=November 8, 2021 }}, Eben Kaplan, The New York Times, January 25, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.historycommons.org/entity.jsp?entity=kamal_derwish|title=Profile: Kamal Derwish|website=History Commons|access-date=September 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225013333/http://www.historycommons.org/entity.jsp?entity=kamal_derwish|archive-date=December 25, 2016|url-status=dead}}

In May 2010 an errant US drone attack targeting al-Qaeda terrorists in Wadi Abida, Yemen, killed five people, among them Jaber al-Shabwani, deputy governor of Ma'rib Governorate who was mediating between the government and the militants. The killing so angered Shabwani's tribesmen that in the subsequent weeks they fought heavily with government security forces, twice attacking a major oil pipeline in Marib.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69Q36520101027?pageNumber=1|title=Drones spur Yemenis' distrust of government and U.S.|publisher=Reuters|date=October 27, 2010|access-date=November 3, 2010|archive-date=December 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215135850/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69Q36520101027?pageNumber=1|url-status=live}}

On May 5, 2011, a missile fired from a US drone killed Abdullah and Mosaad Mubarak, brothers who may have been al-Qaeda militants. The missile struck their car, and both died instantly.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/May-06/Suspected-US-drone-missile-strike-leaves-2-militants-dead-in-Yemen.ashx#axzz1LcYNJi3X|title=Suspected U.S. drone missile strike leaves 2 militants dead in Yemen|work=The Daily Star Newspaper – Lebanon|access-date=October 26, 2014|archive-date=October 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007010251/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/May-06/Suspected-US-drone-missile-strike-leaves-2-militants-dead-in-Yemen.ashx#axzz1LcYNJi3X|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g6LdXwFbdblX-X1pLYfnLh_-K-Sw?docId=CNG.3bce48042eb243fc76055628cd8a2455.ae1 |access-date=January 25, 2017 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321074349/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g6LdXwFbdblX-X1pLYfnLh_-K-Sw?docId=CNG.3bce48042eb243fc76055628cd8a2455.ae1 |archivedate=March 21, 2013 |title=US drone 'kills two in attack on Saudi Qaeda chief'}} The strike intended to kill al-Qaeda propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki, but he was not hit in the strike.Mazzetti, Mark, "Drone Strike In Yemen Was Aimed At Awlaki", New York Times, May 7, 2011, p. 11; Coker, Margaret, "Drone Targets Yemeni Cleric", Wall Street Journal, May 7, 2011, p. 1.

On June 3, 2011 American manned jets (or drones) attacked and killed Ali Abdullah Naji al-Harithi, a midlevel al-Qaeda operative, and several other militant suspects, including Ammar Abadah Nasser al-Wa'eli, in a strike in southern Yemen.Roggio, Bill, "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/07/aqap_confirms_2_comm.php AQAP confirms deaths of 2 commanders in US airstrike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220002212/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/07/aqap_confirms_2_comm.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", Long War Journal, July 21, 2011. Four civilians were also reportedly killed in the strike, reportedly coordinated by American special forces and CIA operatives based in Sanaa.Mazzetti, Mark, "U.S. Is Intensifying A Secret Campaign Of Yemen Airstrikes", New York Times, June 9, 2011. According to the Associated Press, in 2011 the US government began building an airbase near or in Yemen from which the CIA and US military plans to operate drones over Yemen.Associated Press, "Secret CIA drone base being built to target Yemen militants", Japan Times, June 16, 2011, p. 1.DeYoung, Karen, "U.S. Air Attacks In Yemen Intensify", Washington Post, September 17, 2011, p. 1. This base is located at Umm Al Melh, just north of Yemen inside Saudi Arabia. The Washington Post reported that the US previously used a base in Djibouti to fly drones over Yemen,Whitlock, Craig, and Greg Miller, "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-building-secret-drone-bases-in-africa-arabian-peninsula-officials-say/2011/09/20/gIQAJ8rOjK_story.html U.S. assembling secret drone bases in Africa, Arabian Peninsula, officials say] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003122008/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-building-secret-drone-bases-in-africa-arabian-peninsula-officials-say/2011/09/20/gIQAJ8rOjK_story.html |date=October 3, 2017 }}", Washington Post, September 21, 2011. while The Wall Street Journal reported that a US drone base in the Seychelles could be used to fly drones over Yemen.Barnes, Julian E., "U.S. Expands Drone Flights To Take Aim At East Africa", Wall Street Journal, September 21, 2011, p. 1.

According to local residents and unnamed American and Yemeni government officials, on July 14, 2011 US manned aircraft (or drones) attacked and destroyed a police station in Mudiya, Abyan Governorate which had been occupied by al-Qaeda militants. Yemeni media and government gave conflicting accounts on the number of casualties, estimated at between 6 and 50 killed. The same day and nearby, drone missiles reportedly hit a car belonging to Yemeni al-Qaeda leader Fahd al-Quso, but al-Quso survived the attack.Arrabyee, Nasser, and Mark Mazzetti, "U.S. Strikes In Yemen Said To Kill 8 Militants", New York Times, July 15, 2011, p. 9.Roggio, Bill, "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/07/us_airstrike_kills_6_1.php US airstrike kills 6 al Qaeda fighters in Yemen: report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220002921/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/07/us_airstrike_kills_6_1.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", Long War Journal, July 14, 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/us-airstrike-kills-6-1014955.html |access-date=January 25, 2017 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718205718/http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/us-airstrike-kills-6-1014955.html |archivedate=July 18, 2011 |title=US airstrike kills 6 Islamic militants in Yemen}}{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/15/world/middleeast/15yemen.html | work=The New York Times | first1=Nasser | last1=Arrabyee | first2=Mark | last2=Mazzetti | title=U.S. Strikes in Yemen Said to Kill 8 Militants | date=July 14, 2011 | access-date=February 27, 2017 | archive-date=December 15, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215135858/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/15/world/middleeast/15yemen.html | url-status=live }}Whitlock, Craig, and Mohammed al-Qadhi, "Al-Qaeda Fugitive In Yemen Eludes Attack", Washington Post, July 16, 2011, p. 9.

On August 1, 2011, US drones and reportedly Yemeni aircraft attacked three targets with bombs and missiles in South Yemen, killing 15 suspected al-Qaeda militants and wounding 17 others. The locations targeted included al-Wahdah, al-Amodiah, and al-Khamilah in Abyan Governorate. One of those killed was reportedly militant leader Naser al-Shadadi.

According to the Yemen Post "At least 35 US drone attacks were reported in Yemen over the last two month."Al-Qadhi, Mohammed, "Airstrikes Kill Militants In S. Yemen", Washington Post, August 2, 2011, p. 9.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/militants-killed-in-air-attacks-in-south-yemen/2011/08/01/gIQArZmDoI_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=William |last=Wan |date=August 2, 2011 |title=Militants killed in air attacks in south Yemen |access-date=September 3, 2017 |archive-date=July 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153507/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/militants-killed-in-air-attacks-in-south-yemen/2011/08/01/gIQArZmDoI_story.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=3873&MainCat=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110802234825/http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=3873&MainCat=3|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 2, 2011|title=US Drones Kill 15 in Yemen's Abyan Province- Yemen Post English Newspaper Online|date=August 2, 2011}}

On August 24, 2011, unidentified aircraft attacked suspected al-Qaeda militants near Zinjibar. The strikes reportedly killed 30 militants and wounded 40 others.Al-Haj, Ahmed, Associated Press, "[http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/08/ap-yemen-airstrikes-kill-30-militants-082411/ Yemen strikes kill 30 al-Qaida-linked fighters]", Military Times, August 24, 2011.

According to Yemeni officials as reported in the Long War Journal, US airstrikes in southeast Abyan Governorate on August 30 to September 1, 2011 killed 30 AQAP militants. The militants were reportedly engaged in combat with Yemeni military forces.Roggio, Bill, "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/09/us_airstrikes_in_sou.php US airstrikes in southern Yemen kill 30 AQAP fighters: report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220003553/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/09/us_airstrikes_in_sou.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", Long War Journal, September 1, 2011.

Two airstrikes by US-operated aircraft on September 21, 2011 reportedly killed four AQAP fighters in Abyan and seven AQAP fighters in Shaqra.Roggio, Bill, "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/09/us_airstrikes_kill_a.php US airstrikes kill AQAP fighters in southern Yemen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220002917/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/09/us_airstrikes_kill_a.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", Long War Journal, September 22, 2011.

On September 30, 2011, US drone-launched missiles killed four people, including al-Qaeda propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki, in Al Jawf Governorate. The strike also killed Samir Khan, American-born editor of Inspire magazine. The strike marked the first known time that the US had deliberately targeted US citizens in a drone attack.Almasmari, Hakim, Margaret Coker, and Siobhan Gorman, "Drone Kills Top Al Qaeda Figure", Wall Street Journal, October 1, 2011, p. 1.

A reported drone strike on militant hide-outs east of Zinjibar, capital of Abyan Governorate, on October 5, 2011 killed five AQAP militants.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/world/middleeast/drone-strike-in-yemen.html?_r=0|title=Drone Strike In Yemen|work=New York Times|date=October 6, 2011|access-date=February 27, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215135904/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/world/middleeast/drone-strike-in-yemen.html?_r=0|url-status=live}} According to Yemeni government officials, a US airstrike on October 14, 2011 killed seven AQAP militants, including Egyptian-born Ibrahim al-Bana, AQAP's media chief.Associated Press, "Yemen Says Local Al-Qaida Chief, 6 Others Killed", Arizona Daily Star, October 15, 2011.

On October 14, 2011, a similar drone strike killed al-Awlaki's 17-year-old son, Abdelrahman al-Awlaki and eight others.{{cite news

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/world/middleeast/yemeni-security-forces-fire-on-protesters-in-sana.html

|title=Strikes Hit Yemen as Violence Escalates in Capital

|date=October 15, 2011

|work=New York Times

|author=LAURA KASINOF

|access-date=February 27, 2017

|archive-date=December 15, 2021

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215135855/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/world/middleeast/yemeni-security-forces-fire-on-protesters-in-sana.html

|url-status=live

}}

A drone strike on December 22, 2011 near Zinjibar reportedly killed Abdulrahman al-Wuhayshi, a relative of Yemeni al-Qaeda leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi. A further eight militants were reported killed in an air strike near Jaʿār, Abyan Governorate, on December 17, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-qaeda-idUSTRE7BM0QG20111223|title=U.S. Drone Kills Yemen Al Qaeda Leader's Relative: Source|publisher=Reuters|date=December 23, 2011|access-date=July 1, 2017|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308204457/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-qaeda-idUSTRE7BM0QG20111223|url-status=live}}

An airstrike, reportedly performed by US aircraft, on January 31, 2012 near the city of Lawdar in Abyan province, killed 11 AQAP militants. The dead reportedly included Abdul Monem al-Fahtani, a participant in the USS Cole bombing.DeYoung, Karen, "U.S. Airstrike Targets Al-Qaeda In Yemen", Washington Post, February 1, 2012, p. 10; Roggio, Bill, "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/01/us_drone_strike_kill.php US drone strike kills 11 AQAP leaders, fighters: report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220002353/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/01/us_drone_strike_kill.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", Long War Journal, January 31, 2012.

File:Yemen division 2012-3-11.svg and Ansar al-Sharia (tan) included much of eastern Yemen.]]

The Long War Journal reported that in 2012, the US carried out its first drone strikes against AQAP in Hadramout Governorte in May 2012, from mid-May until the end of the year, the US launched seven attacks in the Governorate- a total of 41 drone strikes that took place in Yemen in 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/01/us_drones_kill_2_aqa_2.php|title=US drones kill 2 AQAP fighters in eastern Yemen|publisher=Long War Journal|date=8 January 2014|access-date=September 27, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928062212/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/01/us_drones_kill_2_aqa_2.php|url-status=live}}

Drones engaged in three attacks over three days from March 9–11, 2012. The first strike targeted an AQAP hideout near Al Baydah, Baydah province, reportedly killing local AQAP leader Abdulwahhab al-Homaiqani and 16 of his militants. The second strike hit Jaʿār in Abyan province, reportedly killing 20 AQAP fighters. The third strike, also in Jaʿār, reportedly killed three AQAP militants and targeted a storage location for weapons AQAP had seized after overrunning a Yemeni military base in Al Koud the week before.Roggio, Bill, "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/us_drone_strike_kill_1.php US drone strike kills 3 AQAP fighters in Yemen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220002554/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/us_drone_strike_kill_1.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", Long War Journal, March 12, 2012. A fourth drone strike on March 14, 2012 in Al Bydah reportedly killed four AQAP militants in a vehicle.Roggio, Bill, "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/us_drone_strike_kill_2.php US drone strike kills 4 AQAP fighters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220003123/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/us_drone_strike_kill_2.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", Long War Journal, March 15, 2012.

On April 11, 14 militants were killed in a drone strike in Lawdar town, northeast of Zinjibar, Abyan province.{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/12/c_122963885.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026210125/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/12/c_122963885.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 26, 2014|title=U.S. drone kills 14 al-Qaida militants in Yemen's south|website=News.xinhuanet.com|access-date=October 26, 2014}} A drone strike on April 22, in the Al Samadah area, near the border of Marib and Al Jawf provinces, killed AQAP senior leader Mohammed Saeed al Umda (also known as Ghareeb al Taizi).Roggio, Bill, "[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/04/aqap_confirms_comman.php AQAP confirms commander linked to Osama bin Laden killed in drone strike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220003736/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/04/aqap_confirms_comman.php |date=December 20, 2021 }}", Long War Journal, April 30, 2012.

On May 6, 2012 a suspected US drone strike killed Fahd Mohammed Ahmed al-Quso and another al-Qaeda militant in southern Shabwah Governorate.Al-Haj, Ahmed (Associated Press), "[https://news.yahoo.com/airstrike-kills-senior-al-qaida-leader-yemen-185236164.html Airstrike kills senior al-Qaida leader in Yemen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923131835/http://news.yahoo.com/airstrike-kills-senior-al-qaida-leader-yemen-185236164.html |date=September 23, 2014 }}", Yahoo! News, May 7, 2012.

On August 29, 2012, a drone strike killed Salim bin Ali Jaber, Waleed, and three other people.{{Cite web|url=https://reprieve.org/uk/client/faisal-bin-ali-jaber/|title=Stop Unlawful Drone Strikes}} In 2013, a relative of Salim and Waleed, Faisel bin Ali Jaber, met with officials linked to the White House.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/yemeni-tells-white-house-us-drone-strike-he-says-killed-flna2d11632453|title=Yemeni tells White House of US drone strike that he says killed innocent kin|website=NBC News |date=November 21, 2013 }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/23/world/middleeast/a-yemenis-long-trip-to-seek-answers-about-a-drone-strike.html|title=Questions on Drone Strike Find Only Silence|date=November 22, 2013 }} In 2015, a German court ruled against a case Faisal brought, citing that the German government had no mandate to take blame for American military actions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/drone-war-germany-aiding-america-s-targeted-killings-n365116|title=Drone War: German Court Throws Out Case by Family of Slain Yeminis|website=NBC News |date=May 27, 2015 }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/27/court-dismisses-yemeni-claim-german-complicity-drone-killings|title=Court dismisses claim of German complicity in Yemeni drone killings|newspaper=The Guardian |date=May 27, 2015 |last1=Connolly |first1=Kate }} In 2017, an American court also dismissed a lawsuit brought on by Faisal.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/340270-court-dismisses-drone-killing-case-as-judge-laments-democracy-is-broken/|title=Judge in drone case: Congressional oversight of the military is 'a joke|date=June 30, 2017 }}

On September 2, 2012, a drone strike killed 13 civilians.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/09/03/world/meast/yemen-drone-strike/?hpt=hp_t3|title=Suspected U.S. drone strike kills civilians in Yemen, officials say}}

In 2013, 6 of the 26 strikes in Yemen, were carried out in Hadramout Governorate.

In late July, US officials uncovered an al-Qaeda plot (emanating from Yemen) which led the US to close down more than 20 embassies and diplomatic facilities across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. In response between July 27 and August 10, the US launched 9 strikes in Yemen; no drone strikes were reported for seven weeks prior to July 27; the strikes were intended to disrupt the plot and take out AQAP's top leadership cadre and senior operatives.

2013 Radda Airstrike: On December 12, 15 people{{cite web|url=http://uk.news.yahoo.com/drone-strike-yemen-killed-17-mostly-civilians-toll-084250829.html#i3isOqT|title=Yemen wedding convoy strike highlights civilian drone war toll|date=December 13, 2013|work=Yahoo News UK|access-date=October 26, 2014|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010616/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/drone-strike-yemen-killed-17-mostly-civilians-toll-084250829.html#i3isOqT|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.yourmiddleeast.com/news/drone-strike-in-yemen-killed-17-mostly-civilians_20162|title=Drone strike in Yemen killed 17, mostly civilians|work=Your Middle East|date=December 13, 2013|access-date=October 26, 2014|archive-date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927202323/http://www.yourmiddleeast.com/news/drone-strike-in-yemen-killed-17-mostly-civilians_20162|url-status=live}} were killed in a wedding convoy in the District of Rada' which falls in the Al Bayda' Governorate.{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/12/us_drone_strike_kill_24.php|title=US drone strike kills civilians in central Yemen|publisher=Long War Journal|date=December 12, 2013|access-date=October 26, 2014|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219232709/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/12/us_drone_strike_kill_24.php|url-status=live}} The US drone mistakenly targeted a wedding convoy after intelligence reports identified the vehicles as carrying suspects of the AQAP organization.{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/12/world/meast/yemen-u-s-drone-wedding/ | work=CNN | title=Yemen says U.S. drone struck a wedding convoy, killing 14 - CNN.com | date=December 13, 2013 | access-date=December 25, 2014 | archive-date=December 15, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215135856/https://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/12/world/meast/yemen-u-s-drone-wedding/ | url-status=live }} Five of the killed had been suspected, but the remainder were civilians.{{cite news | url=http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-yemen-drone-strike-wedding-20131213,0,4137970.story | work=Los Angeles Times | first1=Zaid | last1=Ali | first2=Laura | last2=King | title=U.S. drone strike on Yemen wedding party kills 17 | date=December 13, 2013 | access-date=December 25, 2014 | archive-date=April 13, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413044111/http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-yemen-drone-strike-wedding-20131213,0,4137970.story | url-status=live }}

File:Yemen_crisis_map.png. At that time, territory held by AQAP (grey) included portions of many provinces in eastern Yemen.]]

On January 8, the Long War Journal reported that 2 AQAP fighters were killed a US drone strike as they travelled by vehicle in the Al Qutn area of Hadramaut Governorate, in the first recorded US drone strike in Yemen or Pakistan of the year.

On March 3, 2014 an airstrike, believed to have been carried out by a US drone, killed three people suspected of being members of AQAP. Mujahid Gaber Saleh al Shabwani, who is one of Yemen's 25 most wanted AQAP operatives, is thought to have been killed in the strike.Bill Roggio: [http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/03/us_targets_aqap_comm.php US kills 3 AQAP operatives in Yemen drone strike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219232637/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/03/us_targets_aqap_comm.php |date=December 19, 2021 }}, March 3, 2014

On April 20 and 21, 2014, three drone strikes by the US killed at least two dozen suspected AQAP members and destroyed one of the group's training camps in southern Yemen, according to a statement released by the Yemeni Interior Ministry. In a statement, the group admitted that five civilians had been wounded and three killed during the attack.{{cite news|last1=Schmitt|first1=Eric|title=U.S. Drones and Yemeni Forces Kill Qaeda-Linked Fighters, Officials Say|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/22/world/middleeast/us-drones-and-yemeni-forces-kill-qaeda-linked-fighters-officials-say.html?_r=0|access-date=June 16, 2014|agency=The New York Times|date=April 21, 2014|archive-date=September 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909184318/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/22/world/middleeast/us-drones-and-yemeni-forces-kill-qaeda-linked-fighters-officials-say.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}

On June 13, 2014 a suspected US drone strike targeted a car in the Mafraq al-Saeed area of the Shabwah province, killing five alleged AQAP operatives on board.{{cite news|title=Five killed in Yemen drone strike|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/06/drone-strike-kills-armed-fighters-yemen-2014614141848870796.html|access-date=June 16, 2014|agency=Al Jazeera|date=June 14, 2014|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801073855/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/06/drone-strike-kills-armed-fighters-yemen-2014614141848870796.html|url-status=live}}

After the closure of the US Embassy in Sana'a, US counterterrorism officials said the CIA was forced to scale back its operations in Yemen. Of the approximately 200 Americans based at the embassy, "dozens" were working for the CIA.{{cite news

|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/cia-scales-back-presence-in-yemen-base-for-potent-al-qaeda-affiliate/2015/02/11/9ad11c52-b219-11e4-827f-93f454140e2b_story.html

|title=CIA scales back presence and operations in Yemen, home of potent al-Qaeda affiliate

|newspaper=Washington Post

|date=February 11, 2015

|author=Greg Miller and Hugh Naylor

|access-date=December 28, 2016

|archive-date=September 20, 2021

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920235227/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/cia-scales-back-presence-in-yemen-base-for-potent-al-qaeda-affiliate/2015/02/11/9ad11c52-b219-11e4-827f-93f454140e2b_story.html

|url-status=live

}}

On January 26, 2015, a drone strike killed Mohammed Tuaiman, a sixth grader.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemeni-boy-killed-in-drone-strike-told-reporters-only-months-before-he-was-terrified-of-death-machines-in-sky-10036406.html|title=Yemeni boy killed in drone strike told reporters only months before he was terrified of 'death machines' in sky|newspaper=The Independent }}

On June 12, 2015, a U.S. drone strike killed Nasir al-Wuhayshi, the leader of AQAP.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/15/middleeast/yemen-aqap-leader-killed/index.html|title=Top al Qaeda leader reported killed in Yemen|author=Dana Ford, CNN|date=15 June 2015|publisher=CNN|access-date=16 June 2015|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225080304/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/15/middleeast/yemen-aqap-leader-killed/index.html%20|url-status=live}}

The US confirmed 32 drone strikes in Yemen during 2016, resulting in 88 to 123 deaths; a further 10 or 11 reported strikes were not confirmed by the military; these resulted in 23 deaths.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/drone-war/data/yemen-reported-us-covert-actions-2016|title=Yemen: Reported US covert actions 2016|last=Searle|work=The Bureau of Investigative Journalism|access-date=2017-02-21|archive-date=February 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212120825/https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2016/01/18/yemen-reported-us-covert-actions-2016/|url-status=dead}}

On March 22, a US drone strike close to the AQAP headquarters, the port city of Mukalla, capital of Hadramaut Governorate, killed 40–50 fighters.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35878463|title=US strike 'kills 40 militants in Yemen'|date=March 23, 2016|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=July 31, 2018|archive-date=December 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215135850/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35878463|url-status=live}}

On March 27, a US drone strike killed 8 AQAP fighters in the southern Abyan Governorate, inside the group's territory.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-drones-idUSKCN0WT090|title=Suspected U.S. air strikes in Yemen kill 14 militants: residents,...|website=Reuters.com|date=March 27, 2016|access-date=July 31, 2018|archive-date=December 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218205158/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-drones-idUSKCN0WT090|url-status=live}}

On October 21, the US said it killed five AQAP fighters in an airstrike in Marib Governorate.{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/10/us-military-kills-5-aqap-fighters-in-central-yemen.php|title=US military kills 5 AQAP fighters in central Yemen|website=Longwarjournal.org|date=October 27, 2016 |access-date=October 30, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220032008/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/10/us-military-kills-5-aqap-fighters-in-central-yemen.php|url-status=live}}

On January 21, two US drone strikes killed field commander Abu Anis al-Abi and two other al-Qaeda operatives in Bayda province, security and tribal officials said.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/suspected-us-drone-strike-kills-three-alleged-al-qaeda-members-yemen/|title=Suspected U.S. drone strike kills three alleged al Qaeda members in Yemen, a first for Trump|date=January 22, 2017 |publisher=CBS News|access-date=January 25, 2017|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108073057/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/suspected-us-drone-strike-kills-three-alleged-al-qaeda-members-yemen/|url-status=live}}

On March 4, US armed drones and warplanes conducted more than 30 airstrikes against suspected al-Qaeda positions in three Yemeni provinces.{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-trump-yemen-20170304-story.html|title=Trump steps up airstrikes against Al Qaeda in Yemen; more ground raids could follow|work=Los Angeles Times|date=4 March 2017|access-date=March 6, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215135858/https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-trump-yemen-20170304-story.html|url-status=live}}

On October 2, 2017, U.S. Central Command stated that a MQ-9 Reaper had been shot down in western Yemen the previous day. Local videos of the event suggested it had been shot down by a surface-to-air missile.{{cite news |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/news/a28469/us-reaper-drone-shot-down-over-yemen/ |title=U.S. Reaper Drone Shot Down Over Yemen |last=Mizokami |first=Kyle |newspaper=Popular Mechanics |date=2 October 2017 |access-date=3 October 2017 |archive-date=December 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215135913/https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/news/a28469/us-reaper-drone-shot-down-over-yemen/ |url-status=live }}

On July 6, 2018, a US drone strike killed seven alleged al-Qaeda militants in Shabwah Governorate.{{cite news |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2018/07/08/suspected-us-drone-strike-kills-7-al-qaida-members-in-yemen/ |publisher=Sightline Media Group |title=Suspected US drone strike kills 7 al-Qaida members in Yemen |first=Ahmed |last=Al-Haj |date=July 8, 2018 |quote=The tribal leaders said on Friday that the operatives were killed when an unmanned aircraft targeted their vehicle in the southern province of Shabwa. They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. |access-date=July 9, 2018 |archive-date=December 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215135857/https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2018/07/08/suspected-us-drone-strike-kills-7-al-qaida-members-in-yemen/ |url-status=live }}

File:Yemeni_Civil_War.svg
{{legend|#f98787|Controlled by the Government of Yemen (under the Presidential Leadership Council since April 2022) and allies}}

{{legend|#cae7c4|Controlled by Houthis-led Supreme Political Council}}

{{legend|#ffffff|Controlled by Al-Qaeda (AQAP) and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant-affiliated Ansar al-Sharia}}

{{legend|#e3d975|Controlled by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council}}]]

On January 1, 2019, al-Qaeda operative and 2000 USS Cole bombing accomplice Jamal al-Badawi was killed in a US precision airstrike in Ma'rib Governorate.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/01/06/682658506/militant-suspected-of-uss-cole-bombing-is-killed-in-u-s-airstrike-trump-says|title=Militant Suspected Of USS Cole Bombing Is Killed In U.S. Airstrike, Trump Says|website=NPR.org|date=January 6, 2019|last1=Edes|first1=Alyssa|access-date=January 7, 2019|archive-date=November 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119050921/https://www.npr.org/2019/01/06/682658506/militant-suspected-of-uss-cole-bombing-is-killed-in-u-s-airstrike-trump-says|url-status=live}}{{cite tweet |user=CENTCOM |number=1081966033966190593 |date=January 6, 2019 |title=U.S. CENTCOM has confirmed that Jamal al-Badawi was killed in a precision strike in Marib governate, Jan. 1. Jamal al-Badawi was an al Qaeda operative involved in the USS Cole bombing. U.S. forces confirmed the results of the strike following a deliberate assessment process }}

On June 24, 2019, three drone attacks killed at least 5 militants in the Al Bayda, Yemen.{{cite web|url=https://www.newamerica.org/in-depth/americas-counterterrorism-wars/us-targeted-killing-program-yemen/|last1=Bergen|first1=Peter|last2=Sterman|first2=David|last3=Salyk-Virk|first3=Melissa|last4=Sims|first4=Alyssa|last5=Ford|first5=Albert|website=New America|title=Drone Strikes: Yemen|access-date=April 21, 2018|archive-date=March 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321220400/https://www.newamerica.org/in-depth/americas-counterterrorism-wars/us-targeted-killing-program-yemen/|url-status=live}}

A U.S. airstrike on 25 January, in Al Abdiyah District, Ma'rib Governorate, led to killing an individual, whose identity is unknown. Another airstrike was on 27 January, which killed Abdullah Al-Adani. On January 29, 2020, the emir of AQAP, Qasim al-Raymi, was killed by an airstrike while traveling in a car with another senior AQAP leader, Abu Al-Baraa Al-Ibby, in the Yakla area of Wald Rabi' District, Al Bayda Governorate.{{Cite news|url=https://al-masdaronline.net/national/301|title=Exclusive: Local sources confirm the killing of Qassim Al-Raimi by US strike in Al-Baydha|website=Almasdar Online|date=2 February 2020|access-date=April 8, 2020|archive-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202181635/https://al-masdaronline.net/national/301|url-status=live |author1=Newsroom }} Khalid Batarfi was named his successor a month later.{{Cite web|title=The Leadership crisis of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)|url=https://www.ict.org.il/Article/2660/The_Leadership_crisis_of_Al_Qaeda_in_the_Arabian_Peninsula|access-date=2021-12-11|website=www.ict.org.il|archive-date=December 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211043017/https://www.ict.org.il/Article/2660/The_Leadership_crisis_of_Al_Qaeda_in_the_Arabian_Peninsula|url-status=dead}}

On November 14, 2021, two suspected gunmen of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and one civilian were killed in two drone strikes contested to be conducted by the U.S. in the border region between al-Bayda and Shabwa governorate.

Newamerica.net estimates that a total of 127 US drone attacks have been conducted in Yemen from 2002-2016; 1 in 2002, 1 in 2010, 9 in 2011, 47 in 2012, 24 in 2013, 17 in 2014, 24 in 2015, and 4 in 2016. Additionally, 15 manned airstrikes have been conducted, though manned aircraft have only been used once since 2012.[http://securitydata.newamerica.net/drones/yemen-analysis.html New America Foundation, Drone Wars in Yemen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029212952/http://securitydata.newamerica.net/drones/yemen-analysis.html |date=October 29, 2021 }}. Retrieved February 4, 2016. The Long War Journal gives a much higher figure of 334 from 2009–2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/us-airstrikes-in-the-long-war |title=Accessed 2019. |date=September 16, 2017 |access-date=January 2, 2019 |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219044141/https://www.longwarjournal.org/us-airstrikes-in-the-long-war |url-status=live }}

• Yemen model
• Drone strikes in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Libya

{{Reflist}}

• [http://securitydata.newamerica.net/drones/yemen-analysis.html Drone Wars Yemen: Analysis]

{{Terrorism in Yemen}}

{{Yemen topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Drone strikes in Yemen}}

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