CIMP Monthly Report - March 2025

March 2025 saw the highest monthly casualty count in almost two years, tripling from the previous month
March 2025 recorded the highest civilian casualty count (162) recorded in Yemen in one month since May 2023; the highest in almost two years, and almost three times higher than the February 2025 civilian casualty count of 57, and 62% higher than the 2024 monthly average civilian casualty count. Almost two thirds (101) of the casualties were caused by remotely perpetrated violence, namely airstrikes and cruise missile strikes. Moreover, 63 fatalities were reported among the casualties, marking the deadliest month for civilians since June 2022. Of these fatalities, 44% were caused by remotely perpetrated violence. It was the most dangerous month for children since August 2024, with 22 child casualties recorded, and also the highest number of women casualties since November 2022, with 16 women casualties reported.

Airstrikes and cruise missiles were responsible for over 100 civilian casualties in March 2025, a quarter of whom were women and children
Of the 162 civilian casualties reported, 79 were caused by airstrikes, and another 23 resulted from a cruise missile strike launched from a naval vessel, totalling 101 civilian casualties due to remotely perpetrated armed violence. This amounts to two in three (62%) of the past month’s civilian casualties in Yemen being the result of airstrikes or cruise missile strikes. Sana’a city saw the highest civilian casualties countrywide in March 2025, at 63. This is the highest civilian casualty count the city has seen in one month in almost six years, since May 2019. More civilian casualties were reported in Sana’a city in March 2025 than throughout the previous two years combined. All were the result of airstrikes. The densely populated nature of the urban environment significantly increases the risk of civilian harm from explosive armed violence.

The strikes took a heavy toll on women and children. 22 child casualties were recorded in March 2025, almost half of whom (nine) were fatalities, marking the deadliest month for children since November 2023. More than half of the child casualties (12) were the result of airstrike and cruise missile strikes. March 2025 was also the most dangerous month for women since November 2022, with 16 women casualties recorded, all but three of whom were reported in airstrike and cruise missile strike incidents.

Airstrikes drove an increase in reports of civilian property and infrastructure being impacted
Civilian houses were impacted in at least 24 instances of armed violence in Yemen in March 2025; 79% of these incidents were the result of airstrikes, and there was also one incident in which houses were reportedly hit by a cruise missile strike. These instances of houses being hit not only resulted in 78 of the civilian casualties recorded in March, but also posed the threat of displacement to as many as 101 households. Airstrikes also reportedly impacted a range of civilian infrastructure across the countryside, most notably in Sana’a city, Hudaydah and Sa’dah. Among the infrastructural sites and public facilities impacted were reportedly four health facilities, two airports, a seaport, two educational facilities, three mosques and a telecommunications site, threatening civilians’ access to critical services and connectivity.

Over 30 civilians were killed or injured in localised shooting incidents
Shootings were responsible for at least another 31 civilian casualties in Yemen in March 2025, 20 of whom were fatalities, as localised grievances and disputes maintain the propensity to escalate into armed altercations. Although 31 remains slightly below the monthly average civilian SAF casualty count this year, it significantly surpasses the 2024 monthly average of 21 SAF casualties. Ibb saw the highest civilian SAF casualty count, at eight, seven of whom were fatalities. The three incidents responsible were all the result of dispute-driven violence. Another five civilian SAF casualties were reported in Ta’izz, on account of two separate shootings near checkpoints in the vicinity of Ta’izz city. The incident to see the highest SAF casualties was reported on 3 March, when four civilians were injured, including a woman, when checkpoint personnel intervened with live fire during a dispute at an Iftar food distribution point in Al-Mudhaffar district, Ta’izz city. Of 102 civilian SAF casualties to have been reported so far in 2025, Ibb governorate has seen the most, at 24, followed by 14 in each of Ta’izz and Hadramawt.

Over a third of the past month’s ERW casualties were children
Explosive remnants of war (ERW) also continued to drive civilian casualties across Yemen, accounting for 14 civilian casualties in March, all but three of whom were fatalities, marking a high mortality rate. Moreover, over a third (5) of the ERW casualties were children; so far in 2025, one in three of the 42 ERW casualties reported have been children. 14 ERW casualties is in line with the previous two months, each of which also saw 14 civilian ERW casualties. Nine of the past month’s ERW casualties (64%) were reported in Hudaydah, which continues to see the highest number of ERW casualties countrywide. Of the 42 civilian ERW casualties to have been reported in Yemen since the start of 2025, 31% (13) have been reported in Hudaydah. The deadliest ERW incident reported in March was also reported in Hudaydah, where on 5 March, four civilians were killed, including a child, in a landmine explosion in the northeast of Ad Durayhimi district.

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