Top U.S. & World Headlines — August 13, 2026

Democracy Now!

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Video Summary

The U.S. military's civilian casualty count in Yemen has been revealed, with an unclassified Pentagon assessment finding 153 civilians killed and 243 wounded last year. Meanwhile, sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln are suffering a mental health crisis due to an extended deployment of over 208 days, supporting U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. Families report extreme work shifts and shortages of basic necessities.

Elsewhere, firefighters in Lebanon accuse Israel of starting wildfires with flares and drone strikes. In Gaza, an Israeli airstrike killed one person, and Doctors Without Borders claims Israel is deliberately blocking crucial supplies, dismantling survival systems. In the West Bank, settlers have besieged Palestinian families, cutting off utilities for days, while a UN official warns conditions have reached a breaking point. Colombia has authorized joint U.S. military operations against armed groups, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urging A3C members to reject the International Criminal Court.

Short Highlights

U.S. Civilian Casualties in Yemen: Pentagon assessment reveals 153 civilians killed and 243 wounded by U.S. forces in Yemen last year.
USS Abraham Lincoln Mental Health Crisis: Sailors face extreme conditions and mental health issues during a record-breaking 208-day deployment.
Lebanon Wildfires: Firefighters accuse the Israeli military of intentionally starting wildfires.
Gaza Aid Blockade: Doctors Without Borders states Israel's policies are a deliberate "policy of attrition" blocking essential supplies.
West Bank Settler Siege: Settlers besiege Palestinian families, cutting off water and power for days.
Colombia Joint Military Operations: Colombia authorizes joint U.S. military operations against armed groups.
Ecuador Fishermen Attacked: Fishermen report attacks by English-speaking assailants using drones.

Key Details

Yemen Conflict Escalation [0:08]

Houthi fighters have escalated their offensive against government forces in Taiz province.
Recent clashes have resulted in dozens of Yemeni government troops killed.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering support for a counter-offensive to retake the Red Sea coast.

"The fighting's left dozens of Yemeni government troops dead in recent weeks."

U.S. Civilian Casualties and Navy Mental Health Crisis [0:30]

An unclassified Pentagon assessment found the U.S. killed 153 civilians and wounded 243 in Yemen last year.
Military families are demanding congressional action over a mental health crisis aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Sailors have attempted to jump overboard amidst an extended deployment of over 208 consecutive days.

"Families say sailors have been forced to endure excruciatingly long shifts and shortages of food and basic supplies like toothpaste and soap."

Allegations Against Israeli Military [1:15]

Firefighters in Lebanon accuse the Israeli military of starting wildfires in the south.
The Israeli military allegedly dropped flares, and a drone strike forced firefighters to withdraw.
Since a ceasefire in June, the Israeli military has reportedly caused fires in olive groves and agricultural lands.

"According to video and testimony from emergency services in Lebanon, the Israeli military's cause fires in olive groves and on agricultural lands since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah back in June."

Gaza Blockade and Humanitarian Crisis [1:40]

An Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza killed one person and wounded five others, targeting a tuk-tuk.
Doctors Without Borders claims Israel is blocking crucial supplies needed for hospital generators, ambulances, and water systems.
MSF states Israel's policies are a deliberate "policy of attrition by design" that dismantle survival systems.

"What we're witnessing in Gaza is not a series of isolated shortages. It's a policy of attrition by design."

West Bank Settler Violence and UN Concern [2:15]

Settlers have besieged three Palestinian families in Khusra for four days, cutting off water, power, and essential supplies.
A top UN humanitarian official stated conditions in the occupied West Bank have reached a breaking point.
Settlers established an outpost near a besieged house and have subjected residents to daily attacks and harassment.

"They tried to cut off water and electricity networks many times. We fix it, and they cut it off again two days later and attack the workers who come do the maintenance."