Anti-war activists gathered at Times Square in New York City and outside the White House late on Thursday to protest U.S. and British strikes against military targets in Yemen, saying the step threatened to widen the war in Gaza. 

The United States and Britain launched the strikes from the air and sea in response to attacks by Ansarallah on ships to and from Israel in the Red Sea, which the movement says is a show of support for Palestinians under siege by Israel in Hamas-governed Gaza.

Protesters at Times Square chanted slogans such as "hands off the Middle East," "hands off Yemen," and "hands off Gaza." 
 
The demonstrators near the White House waved Palestinian flags and carried banners that read "Free Palestine" and "Stop bombing Yemen." 
 
The strikes in Yemen represent one of the most dramatic demonstrations to date of the widening of the war in Gaza since it erupted in October, although the U.S. and its allies said in a joint statement there was no intent to escalate tensions.