At least two U.S. service members were attacked in a brazen assault on the streets of Turkey on Monday at the hands of a nationalist youth group, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Turkey.
Video circulating on social media showed a group of men holding down one of the soldiers, dressed in civilian clothes, while placing a hood over his head and chanting “Yankee, go home!”
The Turkey Youth Union (TGB), a branch of the far-right Vatan party, took responsibility for the assault, saying: “No one will be able to respond to the cries for help from U.S. soldiers. Your hands are stained with the blood of our brave soldiers and thousands of Palestinians. You will leave our lands!”
The U.S. Embassy confirmed in a statement that the victims were American soldiers who were stationed aboard the USS Wasp. The amphibious assault ship is currently anchored off western Turkey for a regularly scheduled port visit, according to the Pentagon.
The embassy said the soldiers were safe.
TGB/X
The local governor’s office in Izmir added that “5 plain clothes US soldiers saw the incident from a distance, and got involved. Our police forces quickly responded to the incident.”
Fifteen members of the TGB, 13 men and two women, were taken into custody and a “judicial investigation has been initiated regarding the matter,” the Izmir government added.
The broad daylight attack was a startling reminder of the deep fissures on display over the war in Gaza, even among NATO allies. Turkey has been the most vocal member of the military alliance calling for a permanent ceasefire and has suspended all trade with Israel over its conduct in Gaza.
This is a developing story. More to follow.
