US strikes targeting Houthis killed 153 civilians in Yemen last year, Pentagon review says
A Pentagon review revealed that US strikes targeting Houthis killed 153 civilians during operations in Yemen last year. The assessment, submitted to Congress
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Pentagon Report: US Strikes Targeting Houthis Killed 153 Yemeni Civilians
Poinews.com – A Pentagon review revealed that US strikes targeting Houthis killed 153 civilians during operations in Yemen last year. The assessment, submitted to Congress as part of an annual civilian casualty report, confirms that more than 150 non-combatants lost their lives in the conflict. This finding comes amid increasing concerns from lawmakers about civilian harm during the Trump administration’s military campaigns, particularly after a US missile hit an Iranian primary school earlier this year, killing up to 168 people.
April 2025 Airstrikes Cause Heavy Civilian Casualties
The Pentagon’s investigation centered on three major airstrikes conducted in April 2025 against Houthi forces. These militants had been attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea, a vital maritime corridor connecting global trade routes to the Suez Canal and Mediterranean Sea, as well as Israel. According to the report, the operations targeted hostile positions near Yemen’s rebel-controlled capital, Sanaa, and at the Ras Isa port facility.
The casualty figures show that 153 civilians were killed while 243 others sustained injuries. The port strike proved particularly devastating, claiming 80 lives and wounding 171 people. Witnesses described seeing enormous fireballs rising into the sky as tanker trucks were reduced to burning wreckage.
“US forces took action 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,” US Central Command stated in April 2025.
US Central Command, responsible for Middle Eastern military operations, maintained that the port strike was not designed to harm Yemeni citizens. The command concluded that the three operations “more likely than not” caused civilian harm, based on intelligence sources, satellite imagery, and open-source documentation. The Pentagon determined that condolence payments were not warranted for these incidents, though it did not elaborate on this decision.
Context and Regional Implications
Condolence payments have been used in previous conflicts. After a 2021 drone strike in Afghanistan killed ten people, including seven children, the Pentagon pledged to provide compensation to affected families. The US military began operations against the Houthis in 2023 under the Biden administration, responding to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The Houthis justified their actions as support for Palestinians during Israel’s war in Gaza, while simultaneously seeking to consolidate power within Yemen. Military experts told the Associated Press in 2024 that the US campaign against Houthi rebels became the most sustained naval engagement since World War II. American fighter jets and destroyers intercepted numerous Houthi drones and missiles aimed at commercial vessels and US warships.
Today, the Houthis conduct increasing attacks against Yemeni government forces and Saudi oil installations. Saudi Arabia, which backs the Yemeni government, has also seen its Red Sea shipping targeted. Analysts warn that escalating violence could reignite Yemen’s civil war after the 2022 truce and create a new conflict front in the Middle East.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the US begin strikes against the Houthis?
The United States first launched military operations against Houthi forces in 2023 during the Biden administration, following increased Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
How many civilians were killed in the April 2025 strikes?
A total of 153 civilians were killed and 243 were injured across three airstrikes in April 2025, with the port strike at Ras Isa being the deadliest single operation.
Why did the Pentagon decide against condolence payments?
The Pentagon determined that condolence payments were not appropriate for the three strikes, noting that such payments are not legally required and do not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.
What is the current situation in Yemen?
The Houthis are conducting growing numbers of strikes against Yemeni government forces and Saudi oil facilities, raising concerns about renewed civil war following the 2022 truce.
