Kathmandu— United States military strikes targeting Yemen’s Houthis resulted in the deaths of 153 civilians and injuries to another 243 in 2025, according to a Pentagon review released on Tuesday. The assessment found that all recorded civilian casualties from US operations during that period stemmed from three strikes conducted in April around the Houthi-held capital Sanaa and the Ras Isa fuel port; this marks a substantial increase from the two civilians killed and two injured in 2024. The unclassified report was sent to Congress and details findings based on US intelligence, imagery, and open-source reporting regarding civilian harm.

Civilian Impact of April Strikes

The Pentagon review specifically identified three strikes in April 2025 as responsible for all civilian deaths and injuries. The most devastating incident occurred at the Ras Isa fuel port, resulting in 80 fatalities and 171 injuries. Footage aired by Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah television showed bodies scattered across the site after the attack, which sent large fireballs into the sky and left tanker trucks ablaze. US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated at the time that the strike aimed to disrupt a source of fuel and revenue for the Houthis.

Assessment of Harm and Condolence Payments

Despite CENTCOM’s claim that the strikes were not intended to harm civilians, the Pentagon review determined that they “more likely than not” resulted in civilian harm. The report also noted that offering condolence payments to victims or their families was deemed inappropriate, though no explanation for this decision was provided. While such payments are not legally required and do not constitute an admission of wrongdoing, they have been offered following previous incidents involving US-caused civilian casualties – for example, after a 2021 drone strike in Afghanistan that killed ten people, including seven children, the Pentagon pledged to provide condolence payments.

Escalation Under Trump Administration

The findings emerge amid increased scrutiny of civilian deaths resulting from US military operations. The US first began targeting Houthi forces in Yemen under former President Joe Biden in 2023, responding to attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by the Houthis who stated they were pressuring Israel over its war in Gaza and supporting Palestinians. However, the campaign intensified after Donald Trump returned to office in 2025 for a second term, with Washington asserting that the strikes aimed to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect shipping lanes. The Pentagon’s assessment excludes casualties from separate US strikes targeting alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which have resulted in over 200 deaths since September 2025.

As of February, CENTCOM was also reviewing an additional 15 incidents following reports of civilian casualties submitted by nongovernmental organizations, suggesting that the final toll from US operations in Yemen may yet increase.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.