Two US soldiers were attacked by a mob of young Turkish nationalists in the western Turkish city of Izmir on Monday as a crowd gathered shouting anti-American slogans. The US soldiers are reportedly unharmed and Turkish police have arrested 15 of the attackers.
🚨🇺🇸🇹🇷 BREAKING NEWS:
U.S. Navy USS Wasp crew member abducted after disembarking in Izmir, Turkey
After the attack, the crowd began chanting anti-American slogans. pic.twitter.com/YVFFkNy9sR
— George Papadopoulos (@GeorgePapa19) September 2, 2024
The attack appeared to be an attempted kidnapping after rioters threw a bag over the American sailor's head while another tried to protect him.
The attack was reportedly thwarted by five other U.S. soldiers and then by Turkish police.
The Izmir governor's office said the attackers were members of a group called the Turkish Youth Union (TGB), a virulently anti-American Turkish youth alliance. Youth Division Far-right nationalist party Vatan Partisior “Patriotic Party.” Vatan Partisi currently has no seats in the Turkish Parliament.
Slogans heard during the kidnapping attempt were translated by various observers as “Yankees go home!” and “America is finished!”
TGB posted a video of the attack on its X account, tagging the accounts of the US Embassy in Turkey and the US Department of Defense. In a related X post, TGB described the attack as an “act of looting.”
Abdun en Büyük Tarlüz Gemşish USS Waspta Gorevli Abdun en Büyük Tarlüz Gemşish Gemşish Abdün Askerlanine Sval Gezürdük!
Mehmet Chiimidin ve binrase filistinrin kannuerinde tashyan ABD The questioner asks Kirletemez.
Please understand her feelings!
@USEmbassyTurkey… pic.twitter.com/Brzr6KZP8m— TGB (@genclikbirligi) September 2, 2024
“Our country cannot be sullied by American soldiers shedding the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians. We will give you a well-deserved welcome every time you set foot on our soil!” TGB said.
TGB has previously taken “layoff actions,” Very similar In 2014, three US Navy personnel were attacked in Istanbul.
U.S. Embassy in Turkey Confirmed On Monday, the U.S. Navy's amphibious assault ship USS Hornet “I was the victim of an attack in Izmir today but I am now safe.”
“We thank the Turkish authorities for their swift response and ongoing investigation,” the embassy said.
U.S.S. Hornet We arrived in Izmir for a scheduled port visit on Sunday. Hornet The ship took part in bilateral training at sea with the Turkish Navy's amphibious assault ship TCG. Anadolu Turkish Frigate TCG Gocova.
Training and Wasp The stop in Izmir was intended as a “symbol of America's enduring commitment to Turkey's security.” According to To the US Navy. Hornet, Captain Christopher Purcell Anadolu “It was a great experience for our crew.”
