The report Death Falling from the Sky, Civilian Harm from the United States’ Use of Lethal Force in Yemen, provides detailed information regarding 12 operations carried out by the United States in Yemen between January 2017 and January 2019. The 12 incidents in this report include ten airstrikes, all conducted with unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and two ground raids in five Yemeni governorates—Abyan, Al Bayda, Shabwah, Hadramawt and Ma’rib.

At least 38 Yemeni civilians, including 13 children, six women, and 19 men, were killed in these operations. At least seven civilians, including six children, five of whom were under the age of ten, and one man, were injured. Civilians were going about their everyday lives—driving to visit friends, bringing food to their families, sleeping in their homes—when killed or injured. These US operations also caused other forms of deep and long-lasting civilian harm. In only one of the documented incidents has the US acknowledged any resulting civilian harm.

Author: Mwatana for Human Rights

Date: March, 2021

The documentary “Violated Lives” highlights the US​ forces military raid in Al Athal village of Al Jubah district, Marib governorate in Yemen​ on May 23, 2017. Five people were killed in the raid, including two civilians, two members of the US-aligned Yemeni army, and another man whose status Mwatana was unable to determine. The two civilians who were killed included an elderly shepherd and a 19-year old student. Another four people were injured, including two civilians and two Yemeni army soldiers.

Author: Mwatana for Human Rights

Date: March 22, 2021

As the international community continues discussions on lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) in 2020 and 2021 and will focus on the further development and operationalization of the guiding principles, the role of human decision-making will undoubtedly remain one of the core issues.

By drawing on near-term technologies, such as swarms, and related command and control models in deliberations about human control and human-machine interaction, the international community can move to develop a more comprehensive understanding of how control may or may not be exercised in military practice – now and in future operations.

Date: 2020

Authors: Merel Ekelhof & Giacomo Persi Paoli, UNIDIR