WASHINGTON — For about two hours late Thursday night, about 100 protesters gathered outside the White House condemning United States airstrikes in Yemen.
The U.S. and British militaries were bombing more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on Thursday, in a massive retaliatory strike using warship-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, several U.S. officials told The Associated Press. The military targets included logistical hubs, air defense systems and weapons storage locations, they said.
President Joe Biden said the strikes were meant to demonstrate that the U.S. and its allies “will not tolerate” the militant group’s ceaseless attacks on the Red Sea. And he said the U.S. and its allies only made the move after attempts at diplomatic negotiations and careful deliberation.
After news broke of the strikes, dozens of protesters gathered outside the White House in D.C. holding signs and chanting. They were calling for an end to these types of strikes. Protesters who spoke to WUSA9 said they fear this will only lead to more conflict.
There has also been criticism from members of Congress, who said Biden took the military action without the approval of Congress.
Brian Becker, the executive director of the ANSWER Coalition, spoke about why he was protesting Thursday.
"The Biden administration has chosen, instead of ending the war in Gaza, to widen the war by the bombing of Yemen. We're here today to stop the war. No bombing of Yemen. Ceasefire — not later, but right now," he said.
More protesters are expected outside the Hart Senate Office Building Friday morning. A larger demonstration is planned for Saturday calling for an end to the conflict in Gaza at Freedom Plaza.
RELATED: Who are the Houthis and why did the US and UK retaliate for their attacks on ships in the Red Sea?
RELATED: US, British militaries launch massive retaliatory strike against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen
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