Turkish authorities have detained 15 members of a nationalist youth group following an assault on two US Marines during a port visit by the USS Wasp in western İzmir province.
The attack occurred on Monday in the city’s Konak district, where the Marines, dressed in civilian clothes, were targeted by members of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB), the youth wing of the ultranationalist Patriotic Party (VP).
A group of people put a sack on the head of an American soldier allegedly serving on a US warship, which arrived at the port of Izmir, Türkiye🇹🇷.
"Yankee, go home!" the group chanted.
The US was already universally hated for its imperialist wars before, now global… pic.twitter.com/hAXzogZlbg
— Afshin Rattansi (@afshinrattansi) September 2, 2024
The assailants attacked the Marines and placed a white sack over the head of one of them, a symbolic act reminiscent of a 2003 incident in Iraq, where Turkish soldiers were detained by US forces. The attack was recorded and shared on social media by the TGB, which said the act was in protest of the US military presence in Turkey and its support for Israel.
The overlord of this group that attacked a US soldier in Izmir, citing US complicity in Israel’s war crimes, is Doğu Perinçek, who supported Erdogan/AKP in the elections. Erdogan/AKP maintain trade with/shuttle Azeri gas to Israel.
They should punch themselves. https://t.co/DIRwDcnyly
— Lindsey Snell (@LindseySnell) September 2, 2024
The Marines were on shore leave from the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship that arrived in İzmir on Sunday for a scheduled port visit. The ship has been operating in the eastern Mediterranean as part of US efforts to deter potential threats against Israel, particularly from Hezbollah and other militant groups. The USS Wasp had participated in joint naval exercises with the Turkish Navy in mid-August.
The situation escalated when five additional US Marines, also in civilian clothes, intervened upon witnessing the attack. Turkish police quickly arrived at the scene, detained all 15 assailants and ensured the safety of the US service members. The İzmir Governor’s Office confirmed that the suspects are being held for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation.
USS Wasp’te görevli ABD’li askeri personelin bugün İzmir’de saldırıya maruz kaldığını ve şu an güvende olduğunu teyit ederiz. Olaya hızlı müdahale etmelerinden ve olayla ilgili soruşturma başlatmalarından dolayı Türk makamlarına teşekkür ederiz.
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We can confirm reports that…
— U.S. Embassy Türkiye (@USEmbassyTurkey) September 2, 2024
The US Embassy in Ankara confirmed the incident, stating on X that the soldiers are now safe. The embassy expressed gratitude to Turkish authorities for their prompt response and ongoing investigation.
“We appreciate the Turkish police’s quick response and their efforts to hold those responsible accountable,” a White House spokesperson told Reuters.
“Yankee Go Home!”
The Turkish Communist Party (@tkpinter) held a protest in the port city of İzmir against the presence of the USS Wasp.
“We do not want the US ship that brought war and death to Palestine in Izmir.”
pic.twitter.com/3N2P4uRPTd— Eugene Puryear (@EugenePuryear) September 2, 2024
The USS Wasp’s visit to İzmir, which has drawn protests from various Turkish political groups, comes amid heightened tensions in the region. Despite the controversy, the USS Wasp’s crew is expected to continue with planned cultural activities in the region, including tours of local historic sites such as Ephesus.