Ten countries involved in air strikes on Yemen’s Houthis – as it happened

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri to conduct air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. Photograph: Uk Mod/Reuters

4.25am GMT

This blog is now closing – please see our new blog on the Middle East crisis for all of the latest updates

4.04am GMT

A few dozen anti-war activists gathered at Times Square in New York City and outside the White House late on Thursday to protest against the US and British strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen, Reuters has reported, saying the step threatened to widen the war in 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.”