US military operations killed 153 civilians in 2025, Pentagon assessment finds

The Pentagon's assessment revealed a stark increase in civilian casualties resulting from U.S. military operations in 2025, with 153 civilians killed and 243 injured. This figure represents a significant jump from 2024, when only two civilians were reported killed and two injured.

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more likely than not resulted in civilian harm

According to a U.S. official cited by Reuters, all the civilian deaths and injuries recorded in 2025 were attributed to three U.S. strikes conducted in Yemen in April of that year. The U.S. Central Command assessed that these strikes "more likely than not" resulted in civilian harm. As of February 2026, the command was also reviewing 15 other incidents in Yemen following reports from non-governmental organizations.

The U.S. military states its operations in Yemen are intended to degrade the capabilities of Iran-backed Houthi militants. However, the Pentagon's assessment does not encompass casualties from U.S. strikes against vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. These strikes, targeting vessels accused of transporting narcotics and described as "narco-terrorists," have reportedly killed over 200 people since September 2025.

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unlawful extrajudicial killings

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have condemned these vessel strikes as unlawful extrajudicial killings. The American Civil Liberties Union has also criticized the Trump administration's justifications for these actions as unsubstantiated and fear-mongering. Meanwhile, the U.S. Southern Command reported no incidents of civilian casualties resulting from its operations in its area of responsibility in 2025.

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unsubstantiated, fear-mongering claims