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A Trump-approved Yemen raid killed at least 14 civilians, Human Rights Watch reported

Reporting and findings

  1. reported

    Human Rights Watch reported that the Trump-approved January 2017 Yakla raid killed at least 14 civilians, including nine children, and called for a credible investigation.

  2. documented

    The White House said Trump signed the memorandum authorizing the Yemen raid on January 26, 2017.

Summary and current status

Reported civilian harm; Human Rights Watch requested investigation, not an adjudicated war-crime finding.

People and organizations

Relationships in this file

  1. Donald J. Trumpapproved raid linked to at least 14 reported civilian deaths2017 Yakla raid

Figures

  1. HRW-reported minimum civilian deaths at YaklaAt least 14 people killed
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    Civilians HRW reported killed in the January 29, 2017 Yakla raid
    Period
    2017-01-29 to 2017-01-29
    As of
    2017-02-24
    Method
    Use HRW's reported minimum of 14 civilians, including nine children, based on witness interviews. Exclude the separately reported AQAP fighters and US service member; do not add competing casualty estimates.
    Uncertainty
    Source-reported minimum, not a confirmed universal total. The US military described armed women at fighting positions, an account HRW could not confirm. Non-overlapping with the 2025 Rough Rider observations.
  2. Yakla civilian-harm incident1 incident
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    January 29, 2017 raid in al-Ghyeel, Yakla area, al-Bayda governorate, Yemen
    Period
    2017-01-29 to 2017-01-29
    As of
    2017-02-24
    Method
    Count one raid with civilian deaths reported by HRW from village witnesses and a treating hospital director. Do not count each damaged house or casualty as another incident.
    Uncertainty
    HRW's civilian classification is attributed, not a judicial finding. The US military acknowledged likely civilian deaths but disputed aspects of local accounts. Non-overlapping with the 2025 Rough Rider incidents.
  3. Yakla raid operation1 operation
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    January 29, 2017 US raid against AQAP in al-Ghyeel in Yemen's Yakla area
    Period
    2017-01-29 to 2017-01-29
    As of
    2017-02-24
    Method
    Count the ground raid and supporting aircraft as one operation. The White House's February 2 chronology links the raid to Trump's signed authorization; HRW identifies the location and event date.
    Uncertainty
    Presidential approval and operation count are separate from disputed casualty classifications and legal conclusions.