The Civilian Toll of U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen: A Humanitarian Crisis Exacerbated

As the U.S. and Israeli forces target Houthi militants in Yemen, the consequences for ordinary civilians are dire, with airstrikes resulting in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage.

On April 17, tragedy struck Ras Isa port in Yemen’s Hudaydah Province as U.S. airstrikes hit during the evening shift. Mohammed Omar Baghwi, a 45-year-old port manager filling cooking gas cylinders, was among at least 74 casualties from the attack. The airstrikes aimed to weaken the economic influence of the Iran-backed Houthi militia, controlling much of northern Yemen. However, the family of Baghwi contends that he was merely an innocent civilian trying to provide for his loved ones in harsh conditions. "Mohammed and his companions had done nothing wrong," emphasized his brother, Hassan Omar Baghwi, reflecting the growing despair of Yemeni citizens caught in a cycle of violence.

The recent escalation in violence has roots in the Houthis’ drone and missile assaults on Israel, conducted in solidarity with Hamas after its attacks on October 7, 2023. These actions have provoked retaliatory attacks from both U.S. and Israeli forces directed at Houthi leaders and assets. Despite official claims targeting militants, numerous civilian casualties and significant destruction of essential infrastructure are a testament to the broader humanitarian crisis escalating in Yemen, the poorest nation in the Middle East.

Aid agencies warn that the bombings are inflicting more harm on civilians than on the Houthis themselves, resulting in catastrophic repercussions for Yemeni society, already grappling with extreme poverty and suffering. As the conflict intensifies, the urgent need for a focus on civilian protection remains paramount in addressing the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen.