Two U.S. soldiers were “physically attacked” by members of an anti-American youth group in Turkey's western port city of Izmir on Monday, authorities said.
Fifteen suspects were arrested after attacking two U.S. soldiers who were wearing civilian clothes at the time, and five other U.S. soldiers witnessed the violent encounter and joined in, officials said.
Those detained were members of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB), the youth wing of the nationalist opposition Vatan Party. Police have intervened in the case and authorities are investigating, the official said.
“We can confirm reports that a U.S. service member aboard the USS Wasp was the victim of an attack in Izmir today and is now safe,” the U.S. Embassy in Turkey said. said Regarding X. “We thank the Turkish authorities for their prompt response and their ongoing investigation.”
A supposed TGB social media account posted a video to X showing a group of men capturing a U.S. soldier and placing a white hood over his head.
“No one can answer the cries for help of our American soldiers. Your hands are stained with the blood of our brave soldiers and thousands of Palestinians” @YouthUnionTR said In the message of X.
TGB posted a video to X in November 2021, and the members I boasted. A post about putting bags over American soldiers. TGB wrote in the caption of the post, “Yankee, go home!”
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara said Monday that the Wasp was in port in the coastal city of Izmir. The ship arrived on Sunday after completing joint training exercises with Turkish warships in the Mediterranean.
The US has been increasing its military presence in the Middle East as the war between Israel and Gaza continues, with the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group currently operating in the region's waters under US Central Command's jurisdiction. According to Navy Times.
