Civilians in Yemen Pay the Price as US Bombing Campaign Escalates Under Trump

An analysis reveals that the high death toll in two months signals a shift in US policy, which could have dire implications for Yemeni civilians bearing the brunt of US attacks on the Houthis. Recent data indicates that the US bombing campaign in Yemen under President Donald Trump has resulted in nearly as many civilian deaths in two months as in the previous 23 years of US attacks against various Islamist and militant factions in the region. According to reports compiled by the monitoring group Airwars, between March and the end of May, at least 224 civilians lost their lives due to US airstrikes. This sharply contrasts with the 258 civilian deaths reported from 2002 to 2024. The sharp rise in civilian casualties, coinciding with a military operation that involved 33 airstrikes, suggests not only a change in US military engagement strategy but also raises concerns about potential future operations in Iran if Trump decides to escalate those hostilities further. Emily Tripp, the director of Airwars, highlights that the bombings in Yemen have set a concerning precedent for the Trump administration regarding military interventions and the conduct of allies. Understanding the nature of the US offensive in Yemen is essential to grasp the broader implications for international relations, particularly as tensions grow around Iran. The Geneva Conventions categorically define it as a war crime to intentionally target civilian populations in a manner not proportional to military gains. Yet, recent conflicts have seen a flexible interpretation of this doctrine, particularly prevalent during Israel's offensive against Gaza, which resulted in substantial civilian casualties. In her book "The War Lawyers," academic Craig Jones notes that US presidents have historically placed caps on the acceptable number of civilian casualties before requiring special approval for military actions. This troubling trend continues under the current administration. Operation Rough Rider commenced in March, aiming to neutralize threats to merchant shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, drawing parallels with strategies employed by Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden. This operation is estimated to have cost approximately 740 million euros within its first month alone. Trump has derided Biden's approach to Yemen as "pathetically weak." The deadliest attacks documented by Airwars occurred on April 17, when US airstrikes targeted the Ras Isa port near Hodeida, claiming to destroy oil facilities. Reports indicate that at least 84 civilians died during this operation, including two children, Fadel Fawwaz Ali al-Musq and Mohammad Ali Saleh Asaad al-Musq, who were tragically killed when a relative brought them to the port. Families of victims have described the horror of losing loved ones in these airstrikes. Nabil Yahya, a 48-year-old driver, died when his fuel tanker caught fire during the assault. His brother Sultan expressed the deep loss felt by the family, emphasizing that the truck he drove was their sole means of income. Subsequent airstrikes on April 28 resulted in the deaths of 68 civilians at a preventive detention center in Saada, primarily housing migrants from African nations. Eyewitness accounts and broadcast images highlighted the extent of the human tragedy, with reported injuries reaching at least 47. In the face of increasing scrutiny regarding civilian casualties, US Central Command (Centcom) acknowledged the reports but has yet to provide further insights into the investigation. This military operation signifies an extension of US intervention in Yemen, which began back in 2002 with targeted drone strikes against Al Qaeda, marking an alarming escalatory path. As Operation Rough Rider concluded in May, a temporary truce emerged, with the Houthis agreeing to cease attacks on merchant ships in exchange for a halt to US bombings. However, as the Houthis have recently launched several ballistic missiles in support of Iran, tensions remain high, and the risk of reignited conflict persists. The dynamics of Yemen continue to evolve, but the heart-wrenching toll on civilians remains a stark reality, illustrating the humanitarian costs of geopolitical strategies. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2