21 Children, Including 10 Under Five, Killed in 2009 Yemen Drone Strike

A drone strike conducted by the United States in Yemen in December 2009 resulted in the deaths of 21 children, ten of whom were under the age of five. This incident, which also claimed the lives of numerous other civilians, has drawn renewed attention to the human cost of U.S. counter-terrorism operations during the Obama administration. The specific details of this strike have been corroborated by investigative reports from reputable organizations.

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) reported that the strike, which occurred in al-Majalah, targeted alleged Al-Qaeda operatives but ultimately killed at least 41 civilians, including nine women—five of whom were pregnant—and 21 children. This figure directly supports the claim made in the recent social media post. Human Rights Watch further noted that the attack involved the use of indiscriminate cluster munitions, raising concerns about adherence to international humanitarian law.

During his presidency, Barack Obama significantly expanded the use of drone strikes, authorizing 563 such operations primarily in Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen. The administration consistently asserted that these strikes were "exceptionally surgical and precise," designed to minimize civilian harm. However, independent human rights groups and investigative bodies frequently reported civilian casualty figures that were substantially higher than official U.S. government acknowledgments.

For example, U.S. government data for 2009-2015 estimated between 64 and 116 civilian deaths in areas outside active war zones. In stark contrast, TBIJ's estimates for the same period ranged from 380 to 801 civilian fatalities, highlighting a significant discrepancy in reporting. A Yemeni parliamentary report on the al-Majalah incident itself confirmed that 14 alleged Al-Qaeda fighters were killed alongside the 41 civilians.

Leaked diplomatic cables later revealed that the Yemeni government initially claimed responsibility for the al-Majalah strike, with the U.S. actively working to conceal its involvement. This lack of transparency and the high civilian death toll, particularly involving children, fueled widespread anger and calls for accountability and compensation from affected communities in Yemen.