The article deals with the impact of the “war on terror” as a global trend, focusing on the particular case of Yemen. This case warrants interest not only because it has been relatively neglected by western observers in recent years, but also because it illustrates the outcome volatility of the “war on
terror” strategy in a less controversial setting than those of Iraq and Afghanistan. After a brief review of the present political situation in Yemen, the paper analyzes the legality of the actions conducted by Yemen’s government under the “war on terror” leitmotif in the light of domestic and international human rights law.