U.S. Airstrikes Targeting Houthis Killed Scores of Civilians in Yemen

1:13 PM ETDeveloping

Politics Desk

In Short: The U.S. military's airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen last year led to the deaths of 153 civilians and injuries to 243 more, according to Pentagon reports.

Pentagon reports confirmed that U.S. military airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen last year resulted in 153 civilian deaths and 243 injuries, according to a statement to Congress. The reports also noted 15 incidents under review by the department.

Amnesty International's investigation into a migrant detention center in Yemen found that the attack killed and injured dozens of African migrants, with many held by Houthis for their irregular immigration status, suggesting the incident should be probed as a war crime.

The Yemen Data Project reported that during Operation Rough Rider, which ended in early May last year, the U.S. military conducted 339 strikes, resulting in at least 238 civilian deaths, including 24 children, and 467 injuries.

The U.S. Department of Defense stated that its operations adhere to policy standards more protective of civilians than required by the law of war and are committed to improving their approach.

The staffing at the department’s Civilian Protection Center of Excellence was significantly reduced, going from 40 civilian, military, and contractor support employees to nine full-time employees, seven civilians, and two U.S. service members, by the end of fiscal year 2025.

What's still developing

There are 15 incidents related to the Houthi airstrikes that are under review by the department, the Pentagon said in the report, which was signed by Colby Jenkins, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism (IWCT).
The first instance occurred on April 6 last year at a residence in Sanaa, Yemen, where five civilians were killed and another 25 were injured in U.S.

Sources

The Hilllink