TURKEY (TND) — Two U.S. Marines on liberty were assaulted by a small crowd in the port city of Izmir in Turkey Monday, according to the U.S. Navy.
The U.S. Sixth Fleet confirmed the news to CNN and stated the Marines were assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
A video on social media shows a group attacking the Marines and putting a sack over one of their heads chanting “Yankee, go home!”
The Navy said the Marines were able to break free from the crowd with the help of other Marines. After being screened at a local hospital for injuries they returned to the USS Wasp.
“We can confirm reports that U.S. service members embarked aboard the USS Wasp were the victims of an assault in zmir today, and are now safe,” the U.S. Embassy in Turkey wrote on X. “We thank Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation.”
Izmir Governorship said in a statement that “military personnel in civilian clothes were physically attacked by a group of 15 people, 2 women and 13 men, who are members of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB).”
Officials added local police were able to quickly intervene and 15 suspects were taken into custody.
According to the Department of Defense, the USS Wasp arrived in Izmir on Sunday ” for a regularly scheduled port visit.”
