By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The US military killed 153 civilians and wounded 243 others in 2025, according to a Pentagon assessment submitted to Congress. The report, assessed by US Central Command, found that three US strikes in Yemen in April 2025 most likely caused the civilian casualties. However, the assessment excluded deaths from US strikes on suspected narcotics vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
Pentagon Reports Sharp Rise in Civilian Casualties
The Pentagon figures show a major increase from 2024.
In 2024, the US military assessed two civilian deaths and two injuries.
However, the latest assessment recorded 153 civilian deaths and 243 injuries in 2025.
A US official disclosed the figures on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
The Pentagon submitted the assessment to the US Congress as part of its review.
Three Yemen Strikes Linked to Civilian Harm
The report identified three US strikes in Yemen in April 2025.
US Central Command assessed that the strikes more likely than not caused civilian harm.
The United States has conducted military operations in Yemen against Iran-backed Houthi militants.
The Pentagon says those operations aim to weaken the Houthis’ military capabilities.
Meanwhile, the report noted that Central Command was assessing 15 other incidents in Yemen.
The assessment followed reports submitted through non-governmental organisations as of February 2026.
Southern Command Reported No Civilian Casualties
The US Southern Command reached a different conclusion about operations in its region.
As of February 1, 2026, it reported no likely civilian casualties from US military operations in 2025.
The assessment covered the US Southern Command area of responsibility.
However, it did not include casualties linked to strikes against suspected narcotics vessels.
Vessel Strikes Excluded From Pentagon Assessment
The Trump administration has carried out strikes against vessels it accused of transporting narcotics.
Officials have described some of those targeted as “narco-terrorists.”
According to a Reuters tally, the strikes killed more than 200 people since September 2025.
Reuters based its tally on death tolls published after each strike.
However, those deaths did not form part of the Pentagon’s civilian casualty assessment.
Therefore, the reported 153 civilian deaths cover a different set of military operations.
Rights Groups Challenge US Vessel Strikes
Several rights organisations have criticised the US vessel strikes.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International described the attacks as unlawful extrajudicial killings.
The American Civil Liberties Union also challenged the administration’s claims.
The group called the government’s descriptions of those targeted “unsubstantiated, fear-mongering claims.”
The criticism has increased scrutiny of the administration’s military actions.
PUNCH Online Confirms Pentagon Report
PUNCH Online independently checked the report on Wednesday.
The publication confirmed the 11-page report on the US government’s official war.gov website.
The findings provide fresh details about civilian casualties linked to US military operations.
They also highlight differences between assessments from US military commands.
What the Pentagon Figures Mean
The 2025 figures mark a significant rise in reported civilian harm.
They also show the impact of US military operations in Yemen.
However, the Pentagon assessment does not provide a complete picture of every US strike.
It excluded casualties from the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific vessel operations.
Consequently, the overall number of civilian deaths linked to US military action could differ.
