Dubai, United Arab Emirates ? Thousands of chanting anti-war demonstrators in the kingdom of Bahrain, the key Persian Gulf base for the U.S. 5th Fleet, marched through the streets Friday in the capital Manama, reflecting growing outrage by Arabs with Washington’s threat to wage war on Iraq.

Carrying banners saying “Yankees Go Home” the protesters included most of the newly elected members of parliament. They took to the streets after Friday prayers. The anti-American rally came just two days after hundreds of New Year’s Eve revelers in Bahrain smashed cars, attacked tourists, trashed hotel windows and an American restaurant.

The Bahraini government blamed drunken teenagers, but investigators suggested Islamic radicals instigated the riot

Incited by Islamic preachers during the traditional Friday prayers, angry crowds took to the streets across the Muslim world, including Turkey, whose bases would be another key component in a war against Iraq.

In Pakistan, Islamic groups called for a national strike; protests are expected to increase if there is a war.