Pentagon Review Finds 153 Civilians Killed in 2025 Yemen Strikes
A Pentagon review of US Yemen strikes found that operations targeting the Houthis killed 153 civilians and wounded 243 others in 2025, with all recorded casualties traced to three April attacks. [1] [4] The unclassified assessment, sent to Congress as part of the Pentagon’s annual civilian casualties report, marked a sharp increase from the two civilians killed and two injured that the Pentagon assessed in 2024. [1] [3]
Pentagon Assessment Details Civilian Toll
The Pentagon review determined that the three strikes “more likely than not” caused civilian harm, drawing on US intelligence, imagery, and open-source reporting. [1] [4] All 153 deaths and 243 injuries recorded for the year came from those April incidents, which targeted areas in and around Sanaa as well as the Ras Isa fuel port. [1] The toll represented a notable rise compared with 2024 figures, when the Pentagon assessed only two civilian deaths and two injuries from US operations. [3] Fifteen additional incidents remained under review by CENTCOM as of February, following reports submitted by nongovernmental organizations. [1] [2]
Breakdown of the Three Deadly Strikes
The three strikes hit Houthi forces in and around the rebel-held capital Sanaa as well as the Ras Isa fuel port. [1] [4] The attack on Ras Isa proved the deadliest, killing 80 people and injuring 171 others while sending massive fireballs into the sky and leaving tanker trucks burning. [1] [3] Houthis later aired footage on their Al-Masirah television channel showing bodies scattered across the site. [1] A separate 6 April strike on Sanaa killed five civilians and wounded 25 others, while an end-of-April strike in Saada killed at least 68 African migrants. [3] The Ras Isa port strike drew particular attention because the facility serves as a critical entry point for aid. [3]
US Military Statements and Review Conclusions
CENTCOM stated at the time of the Ras Isa attack that the operation aimed to cut off a source of fuel and revenue for the Houthis. [1] [4] The command said the strike “was not intended to harm the people of Yemen” and sought to “eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue that has funded Houthi efforts to terrorise the entire region for over 10 years.” [1] The Pentagon review ultimately concluded the three strikes “more likely than not” resulted in civilian harm. [4] No condolence payments were deemed appropriate for the victims or their families, though the review did not explain the decision. [1] [4] Such payments are not required under US law and do not constitute an admission of wrongdoing. [4]
Ongoing Reviews and Potential for Higher Toll
CENTCOM continued to review another 15 incidents as of February after receiving civilian casualty reports from nongovernmental organizations. [1] [2] The Pentagon figures therefore represent only the documented minimum, and the final toll could rise once those reviews conclude. [2] Yemen’s Justice Ministry claimed during the campaign that more than 1,300 civilians had been killed or wounded, a higher total than the Pentagon assessment. [2] The Pentagon assessment does not include casualties from separate US strikes on boats accused of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. [1]
Context of the US Campaign in Yemen
The US military first began striking Houthi targets in Yemen under former President Joe Biden in 2023 after the group launched drones and missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea. [1] [4] The Houthis said the attacks aimed to pressure Israel over its war in Gaza and support Palestinians. [1] [3] The campaign intensified after President Donald Trump returned to office in 2025, with Washington stating the attacks sought to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect shipping. [1] [3] The 53-day operation began on 15 March 2025 and ended in May 2025 after Oman announced a ceasefire between Washington and Sanaa. [2] [3] US forces reported striking more than 1,000 targets during the campaign. [2] [3]
Broader Scrutiny of Civilian Casualties
The Yemen findings emerged amid renewed concerns over civilian deaths in US operations under the Trump administration. [1] [4] Earlier in the year a US missile struck a primary school in Iran during the opening days of the US-Israel war on Iran, killing as many as 168 people. [1] [4] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also reduced the size of a Pentagon office tasked with limiting civilian harm. [1] [4] The Houthis have since resumed attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and expanded strikes to target Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure. [3] [4]
What to watch next: Monitors will track whether the Houthis sustain or expand their renewed Red Sea operations and strikes on Saudi energy facilities following the end of the US campaign.
