Two US soldiers were physically assaulted by a Turkish youth group who hurled verbal insults and put a hood over a man’s head.
The chaotic scene unfolded in the Konak district in western Turkey on Monday.
At least a half dozen Turkish men were recorded on video surrounding an American man wearing a light blue shirt, holding him down and using a cloth to cover his face.
‘Yankee, go home! Yankee, go home! Yankee go home!’ they chanted in the 10-second clip.
The US Embassy in Turkey stated on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the incident: ‘We can confirm reports that U.S. service members embarked aboard the USS Wasp were the victims of an assault in İzmir today, and are now safe.
‘We thank Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation.’
The Izmir governor’s office had earlier stated that two American soldiers in plain clothes were ‘physically attacked’ by members of the Turkey Youth Union (TGB), which is a branch of the nationalist opposition Vatan Party.
Five US soldiers intervened in the scuffle that was broken up by local police.
All 15 assailants were detained and an investigation is underway, according to the governor’s office.
Commenting on the video of the incident, TGB said the soldier was aboard the assault vessel USS Wasp.
‘US soldiers who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands cannot dirty our country,’ stated TGB. ‘Every time you step foot in these lands, we will meet you the way you deserve.’
The USS Wasp arrived at Izmir this week.
A White House spokesperson said they are ‘troubled’ by the attack and ‘appreciative that Turkish police are taking this matter seriously and holding those responsible accountable’.
The US soldier’s identity was not immediately revealed.
Turkey and the US have had a rocky relationship in recent years in part since the latter bought Russian S-400 defenses that caused the US to impose sanctions and pull back a F-35 jet program.
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