US airstrikes in Yemen fuel deadly surge in violence

US airstrikes in Yemen have caused an unprecedented civilian death toll, according to a report from a monitoring organisation, Middle East Eye reported on June 18th.

According to Airwars, the monitoring organisation, recent US bombings under President Donald Trump, killed nearly as many civilians in 52 days as in the previous 23 years of American operations in Yemen.

The report states that at least 224 civilians lost their lives during two months of airstrikes in 2025. This number includes at least 84 people who were killed in a single strike on Ras Isa Port, among them first responders and children.

The strikes, aimed at weakening the Houthis’ military capabilities, led to significant civilian harm. Airwars highlighted that such high casualty rates are becoming common in regional conflicts.

Trump announced in May that the US would halt air strikes following a deal with the Houthis to stop attacks on Red Sea vessels. Despite the ceasefire, the Houthis continued targeting Israeli ships and territory and launched strikes, purportedly in solidarity with Iran.

According to the BBC on May 7th, the US and the Houthis reached an agreement to stop targeting each other in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. The deal ended seven weeks of American strikes on Yemen, which followed Houthi attacks on international shipping.

US President Donald Trump claimed the Houthis had “capitulated,” but Houthi negotiator Mohammed Abdul Salam said the United States had “backed down.” The agreement does not cover Israel, and Houthi attacks on Israel will continue. The Houthis confirmed their ongoing support for Palestinians in Gaza, while Israel carried out further strikes on Yemen.

Previously, Israeli navy missile ships launched strikes on what the military described as “terror targets” belonging to the Houthi regime in Yemen’s port of Hodeida, France 24 with AFP reported on June 10th.

The military stated that the strikes aimed to stop the port’s use for military purposes and to block the transfer of weapons. Houthi-controlled media confirmed the strikes and reported damage at the docks.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that further attacks would trigger a stronger response and the imposition of a naval and aerial blockade.

Airwars, BBC, France 24 with AFP, Middle East Eye