Pentagon Report Confirms 153 Civilian Deaths in Yemen Strikes
The Story
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) blamed War Secretary Pete Hegseth for 153 civilian deaths in Yemen across three U.S. strikes, calling for a reckoning. The War Department released its annual civilian casualty report, revealing the deaths. The Pentagon's 12-page report, shared with the Senate Armed Services Committee on Monday, confirmed the U.S. killed 153 civilians and wounded 243 others during its attacks on Yemen last year. The report detailed specific strikes that more likely than not caused civilian deaths and injuries. This included an April 6 attack on Sanaa that killed five civilians and wounded 25 others. Another U.S. attack on Hodeidah on April 17 killed at least 80 civilians. Human Rights Watch stated in a June report that the Hodeidah attack should be investigated as a war crime. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the American military to begin bombing the Houthis in March 2025. These attacks responded to Houthi strikes on vessels in the Red Sea, which the group stated were in solidarity with besieged Palestinians in Gaza.
The Spread
What they agree on
- The Pentagon's annual civilian casualty report confirmed 153 civilian deaths in Yemen from U.S. strikes last year.
- The report also stated that 243 civilians were wounded in these attacks.
- U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the bombing of Houthis in Yemen starting March 2025.
- The strikes were in response to Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.
- Specific incidents mentioned include an April 6 attack on Sanaa and an April 17 attack on Hodeidah.
Where they split
- The Washington Examiner highlights Senator Jack Reed's call for a "reckoning" for War Secretary Pete Hegseth, a specific political reaction not emphasized by Outlook India or Middle East Eye.
- Middle East Eye includes the detail that Human Rights Watch called for an investigation into the April 17 Hodeidah attack as a war crime, which is not present in the other reports.
- Outlook India and Kashmir Observer focus on the Pentagon's confirmation of civilian deaths, while The Washington Examiner frames the story around a specific political figure's reaction.