The U.S. Department of Defense has formally acknowledged that military operations in Yemen in 2025 resulted in the deaths of 153 civilians and injuries to at least 243 others, according to a report submitted to Congress on Monday. The findings mark the first public confirmation of civilian casualties from the U.S. campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which began in March 2025 under President Donald Trump’s directive to counter Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The Pentagon’s report attributes all confirmed civilian casualties to three specific airstrikes conducted in April 2025. The strikes occurred near Sanaa, Ras Isa Port, and Saada, with the highest toll recorded on April 17 near Ras Isa Port, where 80 civilians were killed. The military did not conduct on-the-ground investigations but relied on U.S. intelligence, satellite imagery, and public reporting to assess the casualties. An additional 15 incidents in Yemen remain under review for possible civilian harm.
The report does not include casualties from U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, which were part of the broader military operation against Iran. The campaign, named Operation Rough Rider, was launched to prevent Houthi attacks on shipping lanes critical to global trade.
Civilian casualty assessments
The Pentagon’s findings align with estimates from independent monitors, though some groups suggest the actual toll may be higher. Airwars, a conflict monitoring organization, reported that at least 258 civilians may have been killed in Operation Rough Rider as of last year. The Pentagon’s report acknowledges that its assessment is based on available data and may not capture all casualties.
Policy shifts and oversight
The release of the report follows reported cuts to offices within the Department of Defense dedicated to mitigating civilian harm during the tenure of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has emphasized a focus on military "lethality" over procedural safeguards. The Pentagon’s acknowledgment of civilian casualties comes amid broader scrutiny of U.S. military operations in the region.
Congressional and public response
The report was transmitted to congressional defense committees as part of ongoing oversight of U.S. military engagements. Lawmakers have not yet publicly responded to the findings, and further details on potential policy adjustments or investigations are pending.
The Pentagon has stated that it continues to review additional incidents and may revise its casualty estimates as more information becomes available.