US military operations killed 153 civilians in 2025, official says, citing Pentagon assessment

The Pentagon has officially assessed that US military operations killed 153 civilians in 2025, according to a statement from a US official. The figure covers a range of operations, including strikes in the Eastern Pacific against vessels accused of narcotics trafficking, which the Trump administration has labeled as targeting "narco-terrorists." The assessment reflects a formal acknowledgment of civilian casualties in US counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism missions. The operations have drawn scrutiny over rules of engagement and the balance between military objectives and civilian protection. The official did not provide a breakdown by operation or region, but the Eastern Pacific strikes are a notable component. This marks a rare public disclosure of civilian casualty figures from ongoing US military campaigns.

Global Impact

Politically, the acknowledgment of 153 civilian deaths could strain US relations with affected countries and fuel anti-US sentiment in regions where operations occur. Socially, it may galvanize human rights groups and legal challenges against the administration.