US air strikes in Yemen have caused 153 civilian deaths, exposing systemic flaws in counter‑terror policy and regional power dynamics
Original framing: “Pentagon tells Congress US killed 153 civilians in Yemen air strikes” — Middle East Eye
Independent satellite forensics and epidemiological studies confirm that air‑strike debris and unexploded ordnance contribute to long‑term health hazards, including respiratory disease and birth defects. Rigorous impact assessments are rarely integrated into operational planning, violating international humanitarian law standards. Embedding scientific monitoring would enable evidence‑based mitigation strategies.
The civilian death toll from US air strikes in Yemen is not an isolated incident but a manifestation of entrenched geopolitical strategies, historical patterns of foreign intervention, and the marginalisation of local knowledge systems.
By foregrounding indigenous mediation, rigorous scientific monitoring, and cross‑cultural maritime practices, a multidimensional response can break the cycle of violence. Institutionalising an independent oversight commission, linking military actions to diplomatic progress, and funding reparations anchored in Yemeni leadership address both immediate harms and structural drivers. Together, these pathways reconfigure power relations, embed accountability, and open space for resilient, locally grounded peacebuilding.