CIMP Monthly Report - September 2025

September witnessed the second-highest number of children and women casualties in a single month since 2018
During September, a total of 210 children and women were killed (32) and injured (178), the second-highest monthly tally since August 2018, when 265 children and women were the victims of armed violence. The rate this month was also the highest so far this year, topping the numbers recorded during the previous aerial escalation in March (37), April (79), and May (61). By comparison, September has seen more children and women casualties than the whole of the escalation period combined (177). The month’s casualties were primarily driven by airstrikes on densely populated areas, mainly in Sanaa city. Overall, there have been 511 children and women casualties so far in 2025, the second-highest rate through the first nine months of a year since 2020.

Airstrikes resulted in over 400 civilian casualties
September has also seen the second-highest casualty number this year (541) after April (644), and the fourth-highest monthly casualty count since 2018. Around 80% of the total casualties (427) were the result of airstrikes. Specifically, two rounds of air raids that mainly struck residential areas in Sanaa city, as well as government compounds in Sanaa and Al Jawf. Strikes on 10 September resulted in 211 civilian victims, while subsequent air raids on 27 September caused another 216, making up the second and third highest casualty incidents recorded this year. Additionally, strikes in Sanaa on 27 September hit two detention centres, as well as the headquarters of the 26 September news agency; a total of 53 journalists were reportedly among the casualties.

There have also been reports of drone strikes on the Ras Isa oil terminal in As Salif district to the north of Al Hudaydah city. Reports indicated that multiple strikes hit the terminal during the first half of the month, causing damage to the port’s infrastructure, as well as to fuel trucks. A fuel tanker was also stuck during the period while off the coast of Ras Isa.

In the coming weeks, the risk of renewed rounds of air raids is still assessed as high. There are indications of an overall de-escalation in the region, but until a sustained halt to hostilities is reached, airstrikes may resume, carrying with them the threat of civilian casualties and significant damage to civilian infrastructure.

Shootings and isolated incidents caused 10% all casualty numbers
Excluding airstrike victims, there have been a total of 114 civilian casualties. Around a third (36%) of that number (41) were the result of isolated shootings, similar to the number recorded in August (43), but more than double that reported in July (18). The causes of the shootings were related to checkpoint violence, disputes, tribal violence, and personal grievances.

A further 11 casualties were caused by hand grenade explosions, increasing the casualty load resulting from isolated incidents to 52. The victims came from two incidents, both related to assailants detonating grenades following disputes. This is the second-highest casualty number caused by hand grenades this year, following June (19).

Hostilities along frontlines, except in Sadah, have witnessed a lull in recent months. At the same time, isolated shootings have been on the rise. Contributing factors to this trend are assessed to be the widespread availability of small arms and a weak rule of law. Additionally, as former fighters return to their homes, coupled with low socio-economic conditions, those fighters are more likely to engage in criminal activity. It is, therefore, expected that shootings will continue at a comparatively high rate in the coming period.

Frontline violence dropped for the second consecutive month
The total number of civilian casualties resulting from frontline violence during September was 38, marking the second monthly decrease in a row (July 106; August 52). All of the casualties were recorded in Sadah, save for 1 victim in Taizz. There were also limited bursts of shelling in Al Hudaydah and Hajjah, but no civilians were killed or injured by the hostilities in either governorate this month. Since the start of the year, frontline violence has resulted in 378 civilian casualties, with over two-thirds (68%) of that number (256) reported in Sadah and another 72 (19%) reported in Taizz. However, overall, there have been no indications of renewed fighting along the currently active fronts, and as such, it is unlikely that frontlines in Al Hudaydah, Taizz, Lahij, or Al Bayda would witness a significant escalation in the coming period. It is expected, however, that localised reports of cross-border violence in the northern and northwestern districts of Sadah will continue in the coming weeks, namely in Monabbih, Shadaa, Razih, and Qatabir.

ERW victims jumped to the highest this year
Casualties resulting from ERW incidents spiked to the highest number recorded this year (24), just slightly higher than August (20). The increase during September was mainly caused by a single incident in Al Jawf, where around half of the total casualty toll (10) was reported. Additionally, with another 2 casualties in the governorate, Al Jawf saw a total of 12 of this month’s ERW victims. The remaining victims were also reported in current and previous frontline areas in Sadah (3), Taizz (3), Al Hudaydah (2), and Lahij (2), in addition to Al Bayda (1) and Shabwah (1), which has been a long-term trend in ERW incidents. Around a third (30%) of the casualties were children (6) and women (1), highlighting the high risk that unexploded ordnance (UXO) in particular poses to vulnerable groups. Young children, especially, can tamper with explosives, assuming them to be toys.

Over 50,000 households were impacted by strikes on electricity infrastructure
In addition to residential areas, airstrikes during the month hit multiple infrastructure sites. In Al Hudaydah, one round of air raids struck the Al Hudaydah seaport, while drones targeted the Ras Isa oil terminal in As Salif. In Sanaa city, airstrikes hit the Dhahban power station in Bani Al Harith district to the north of Sanaa city, while a number of government compounds were also bombed across Amanat Al Asimah district, including the historical site of the National Museum building in the centre of Sanaa.

It is estimated that some 50,000 households have been affected by electricity outages in Sanaa city and its outskirts as a result of the strikes on the Dhahban station and a fuel depot to the south of the city. Additionally, the air raids on the Al Hudaydah ports have reportedly hampered the entry of fuel and food imports, with maritime traffic falling by around 30% in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year.