Pentagon Review Finds US Airstrikes in Yemen Killed 153 Civilians

A Pentagon review says US airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen killed 153 civilians and injured 243 others across three attacks in April 2025. The assessment, submitted to Congress as part of the Pentagon’s annual civilian casualty report, found that the strikes “more likely than not” resulted in civilian harm.

The unclassified assessment, obtained by news agency AP and reported by NBC News, examined three strikes conducted during the US military campaign against the Houthis. A Pentagon official, who was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the department would submit the report in the coming months but had no further announcement.

The findings come amid growing scrutiny of civilian casualties from US military operations under the Trump administration, including concerns raised by lawmakers in Congress. The Pentagon review focused on strikes against Houthi-controlled positions in and around Sanaa, Yemen’s rebel-held capital, and at the Ras Isa port.

The assessment found that the three operations “more likely than not” resulted in civilian harm. The review said its conclusions were based on US intelligence, imagery and open-source reporting.

The Ras Isa strike was the deadliest, killing 80 people and injuring 171 others. The attack triggered large fires and explosions at the port, with tanker trucks left burning. The Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite news channel broadcast footage from the aftermath showing bodies at the site.

At the time, US central command said, “The strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen.” The command said the operation was aimed at cutting off fuel supplies and revenue for the Houthis.

“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 terrorize the entire region for over 10 years,” US Centcom said in April 2025.

The Pentagon review said condolence payments were not considered appropriate for the three strikes, without explaining why. It noted that such payments may be offered following civilian deaths or injuries but are not legally required and do not amount to an admission of wrongdoing.

The issue has gained further attention following a US missile strike on an Iranian primary school earlier this year that reportedly killed as many as 168 people. Defence secretary Pete Hegseth has also reportedly reduced the size of a Pentagon office focused on reducing civilian harm.

The US began striking the Houthis in 2023 after the group launched attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, saying it was acting in support of Palestinians during Israel’s war with Hamas.