US Strikes in Yemen Killed 153 Civilians, Pentagon Report States

The Pentagon has acknowledged that three US strikes in Yemen in April 2025 killed 153 civilians and wounded 243 others, according to a report submitted to Congress. These Yemen strikes accounted for all recorded civilian deaths and injuries from US military operations in 2025.

Pentagon Acknowledges Civilian Toll

The Pentagon has acknowledged that three US strikes in Yemen in April 2025 killed 153 civilians and wounded 243 others, according to a report submitted to Congress. [3] All recorded civilian deaths and injuries in 2025 from US military operations resulted from the three Yemen strikes, a sharp increase from two civilian deaths and two injuries in 2024. [1] The Pentagon said the US Central Command assessed that the three strikes “more likely than not” resulted in civilian harm. [1] The figures represent a sharp increase from 2024, when the Pentagon assessed that two civilians were killed and two injured by US military operations. [1]

Breakdown of the Three Strikes

The first strike on April 6 in Sanaa killed five civilians. [3] The April 17 strike at Ras Isa port killed 80. [3] The April 28 strike near Saada killed 47. [3] The Pentagon said the civilian casualties resulted from three separate airstrikes carried out during a US campaign against Yemen’s Houthi movement, according to the report cited by Al Jazeera. [3] The first incident occurred on April 6, 2025, in Sanaa, where five civilians were killed, the Pentagon said. [3] A second strike on April 17 at the Ras Isa port killed 80 people, while a third attack near Saada on April 28 killed 47 civilians. [3]

Ongoing Investigations

US Central Command is still assessing 15 other incidents in Yemen following reports from non-governmental organisations. [1] The Pentagon has also said that 15 other incidents remain under investigation, meaning the reported civilian casualty figures could change as the reviews are completed. [3] As of February 2026, US Central Command was assessing 15 other incidents in Yemen following reports received through non-governmental organisations. [1] The report also said that, as of February 2026, US Central Command was assessing 15 other incidents in Yemen following reports received through non-governmental organisations. [1]

Context of US Operations Against Houthis

The strikes were part of US operations aimed at degrading the capabilities of Iran-backed Houthi militants who have attacked commercial shipping in the Red Sea. [3] The US military has said its operations in Yemen are aimed at degrading the capabilities of Iran-backed Houthi militants. [1] The strikes were part of a US military campaign against the Iran-aligned Houthis, who have carried out missile and drone attacks against commercial and military shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waters. [3] Washington has said its military operations were intended to degrade the Houthis’ missile and drone capabilities and deter further attacks. [3] The US military has also said its operations are conducted under rules governing the protection of civilians and the use of force. [3] The Pentagon assessment did not include casualties from US strikes against vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. [1]

Latest Houthi Attack on Shipping

On Tuesday, Houthi forces carried out a double-tap missile attack on the Egyptian-owned cargo vessel Tihamah in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, killing at least four crew members including three Pakistanis and one Indonesian, and wounding others including rescue personnel. [2] Yemen’s coastguard said the initial strike on the Tihamah caused a fire and extensive damage to the vessel, killing four sailors, including three Pakistanis and an Indonesian. [2] A second strike targeted the vessel as rescue workers carried out a mission to evacuate the ship. [2] Yemen’s Transport Ministry said three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian national were killed after the Houthis fired three ballistic missiles at the commercial ship, sparking a fire and causing “significant damage” to the vessel. [5] Yemen’s coastguard said in a separate statement that the Houthis fired another missile at the ship as rescue personnel were evacuating the dead and wounded. [5] The attack struck the site of the rescue operation and resulted in deaths and injuries among the forces participating in the response operation. [5] At least two troops were killed in the second strike. [5] Ten people were wounded in total, including seven crew members. [5]

Regional Condemnations and Escalation

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday condemned the attack by Yemen’s Houthis on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea that claimed the lives of three Pakistanis and said Islamabad was in contact with the relevant authorities to ascertain further details. [2] Dar said in a post on X that he had also received reports of a Pakistani being injured in the attack. [2] “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” he said, adding: “Pakistan strongly condemns the Houthi attack on a non-combatant commercial vessel.” [2] “Such attacks endanger innocent lives, constitute a violation of international law, and pose a serious threat to freedom of navigation, maritime security, and the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea,” he said. [2] Yemen’s internationally recognised government has accused the Houthi rebel group of killing at least six people and wounding 10 others in a double-tap strike on a cargo vessel in the Bab al-Mandeb strait. [5] Yemen’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and called on the international community “to move from condemnation to effective and decisive action” against the Houthis. [5] The escalation in Yemen follows the collapse of a years-long truce in the country’s civil war between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government. [5] The breakdown of the United Nations-backed 2022 truce followed a Saudi air strike on the runway of Sanaa airport on July 13, preventing the landing of an Iranian flight carrying a high-ranking Houthi delegation. [5]

What to watch next: US Central Command continues assessing 15 other incidents in Yemen, and further Houthi attacks on shipping remain possible following the collapse of the 2022 truce.