Pentagon report confirms 153 civilian deaths in Yemen strikes

A Pentagon review has acknowledged that U.S. military operations in Yemen during 2025 killed 153 civilians and wounded approximately 243 to 250 others. The findings, contained in an annual report to Congress, specifically attribute these casualties to three airstrikes conducted during Operation Rough Rider between March and May 2025.

The report identifies three specific incidents where civilian harm was “more likely than not”: an attack near Sanaa on April 6 that killed five people, an attack near Ras Isa Port on April 17 that killed 80, and an attack near Saada on April 28 that killed 68. The military relied on intelligence, imagery, and public reporting for these assessments rather than site visits.

The campaign was authorized by President Donald Trump to target Iran-backed Houthi militants following their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The report comes amid criticism of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who dismantled a Pentagon office dedicated to mitigating civilian harm to focus on military “lethality.” The Pentagon noted that 15 additional incidents in Yemen remain under evaluation.