Two U.S. Marines were assaulted in western Turkey on Monday by a mob of angry Turkish nationalists who placed a bag over the head of one Marine while chanting, “Yankee, go home!”
The Marines, who are assigned to the USS Wasp, were walking on the street in Izmir in civilian clothing when a group of men “physically attacked” them, Fox News reported. The angry mob was reportedly a group from the Youth Union of Turkey, an anti-American student association.
Five more Marines stepped in to stop the group before Turkish authorities arrived and arrested 15 men who had attacked the Marines. Video shows the Americans being surrounded by a group of shouting men as they placed a bag over the head of one of the Marines The footage was posted online by the Youth Union of Turkey.
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Two U.S. Marines on a port visit in Turkey came under attack Monday.
Video of the incident shows a group of men forcing a bag over the head of one of the Marines as they restrain him, chanting, “Yankee, go home.” https://t.co/op0ubKoEXs pic.twitter.com/l4PqoJ4pQ9
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The two Marines who were attacked were not injured in the incident, according to the U.S. military.
“We can confirm reports that U.S. service members embarked aboard the USS Wasp were the victims of an assault in İzmir today, and are now safe,” the U.S. Embassy in Turkey said. “We thank Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation.”
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Timothy Gorman said that no Marines had been detained, adding, “Local Izmir police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are cooperating in an investigation of the incident.
The Youth Union of Turkey defended the attack on U.S. Marines, saying in a statement obtained by Reuters, “U.S. soldiers who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands cannot dirty our country. Every time you step foot in these lands, we will meet you the way you deserve.”
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The USS Wasp was sent to the Mediterranean Sea last month as part of the Biden administration’s plan to deter further conflict in the Middle East. The move sent combat aircraft and warships closer to U.S. ally Israel amid its war against Hamas and continued threats from Iran.
