Anti-war protesters chanted and marched through New York City as U.S. airstrikes bombed the Houthis in Yemen.
Protesters gathered in Times Square on Thursday evening, just hours after President Joe Biden confirmed the “successful” bombing of several Yemeni cities.
The coordinated attacks between the US, Britain and other allied nations came after American officials warned of “consequences” if Iran-backed rebels continued to attack ships in the Red Sea.
Shortly after the bombing began, Times Square became the site of an anti-war rally, with demonstrators demanding “U.S. out of the Middle East.” Apparently at least one person was arrested by the police.
The popular landmark was occupied by protesters carrying Palestinian flags and placards calling on the US to stop bombing Yemen and cut off all aid to Israel.
War opponents demonstrated in Times Square in New York to hold a rally condemning US airstrikes in Yemen to drive out Houthi rebels
Protesters gathered Thursday evening, just hours after President Joe Biden confirmed the strikes had begun
It appeared that at least one person was arrested by police during the protest
The attacks were ordered in response to escalating Houthi violence against ships in the Red Sea. The group claims its attacks are aimed at stopping Israel's war on Gaza
Protesters marched from Times Square to Columbus Circle chanting: “It is right to rebel, the US and Britain are in hell” and “We want justice. Say, “How?” “Stop bombing Yemen now!”
A protester told the crowd with a megaphone: “The true face of Zionism and imperialism has shown itself once again,” and she claimed the bombing was done “for personal capital gain.”
Around a dozen locations were targeted in Thursday's military raids, raising fears of an escalation into a regional war.
Before the attacks, terrorist groups in the region had warned of retaliatory measures against US military bases if the bombings took place.
Biden said in a statement that the attacks were in response to “unprecedented” sieges of military ships.
As part of the military campaign, the US and Britain, with support from Australia, Canada, Bahrain and the Netherlands, fired bombs and missiles at the capital Sanaa, the governorate of Hodeida, Saada and Dhamar.
Earlier Thursday, the Houthis carried out their 27th attack since November 19, firing an anti-ship ballistic missile at international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden, according to the US military.
The Houthis claim their attacks are aimed at stopping Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, but their targets are becoming increasingly random.
Protesters marched and chanted: “It is right to rebel, the US and Britain are in hell” and “We want justice. Say, “How?” “Stop bombing Yemen now!”
As part of the military campaign, the US and Britain, with support from Australia, Canada, Bahrain and the Netherlands, fired bombs and missiles into Yemen
Many fear the airstrikes could lead to an escalation that could lead to all-out war in the region after the Houthis issued a response condemning “brutal aggression” by the US and Britain and vowing to make the nations pay
The Houthi media authority vowed to make the US and its allies “pay” for the attacks
Biden has already been criticized for the decision by his own party. Lawmakers wanted to know why he didn't appear before Congress before ordering the attacks
Various shipping companies have stopped operations and are instead taking the longer journey around Africa.
In response to the attacks, the Houthi media authority warned that the group would “not back down” and promised that the US would “pay unconditionally and without hesitation.”
President Biden also faced criticism from within his own ranks. Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna criticized him for not appearing before the House of Representatives before carrying out the attacks.
“The President must come to Congress before he launches an attack against the Houthis in Yemen and embroils us in another Middle East conflict.” “That is Article I of the Constitution,” he said in a post on X.
“I will work for that regardless of whether a Democrat or a Republican is in the White House.”