US Strikes in Yemen Killed 153 Civilians in 2025, Pentagon Review Reveals
US military operations in Yemen resulted in the deaths of 153 civilians and the wounding of 243 others throughout 2025, according to a Pentagon review submitted to Congress and reported by Al Jazeera. The figures mark a steep escalation in civilian harm resulting from American air campaigns designed to degrade the military capabilities of Houthi militants.
A Dramatic Leap From Prior Casualty Counts
The 2025 casualty toll represents a jump from the previous year. According to Pentagon assessments cited by CBS News, US military operations in 2024 resulted in two civilian deaths and two injuries.
US Central Command evaluated those specific April operations and determined they “more likely than not” resulted in civilian harm. Beyond those completed assessments, the Pentagon disclosed that Central Command was assessing 15 additional incidents in Yemen as of February 2026, following reports received from non-governmental organizations.
Comparing Theater Operations and Legal Scrutiny
While the Yemen campaign accounted for significant loss of life, the Pentagon’s reporting drew distinct geographic boundaries. The casualty figures submitted to lawmakers did not include operations conducted by US Southern Command in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. According to that command’s reporting as of February 1, 2026, no incidents within its area of responsibility in 2025 met the threshold where civilian casualties “more likely than not resulted” from military action.
Even so, wider naval and aerial operations under President Donald Trump’s administration have faced pushback from human rights advocates. Since September 2025, US strikes targeting vessels in the eastern Pacific suspected of transporting narcotics—with those on board labeled as “narco-terrorists” by officials—have killed more than 200 people, according to a tally maintained by Reuters based on death tolls released after each strike.
Major advocacy organizations have criticized those maritime operations. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have characterized the eastern Pacific vessel strikes as unlawful extrajudicial killings. Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union has criticized the administration’s allegations against those targeted, describing them as “unsubstantiated, fear-mongering claims”.
Looking Ahead at Congressional Oversight
What measures do you think lawmakers should take to ensure greater accountability in modern air campaigns? Share your perspective in the comments below.
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