Keystone-SDA
This content was published on 02 September 2024 – 21:44
(Keystone-SDA) US marines from the warship “USS Wasp” were physically attacked in the Turkish port city of Izmir. The US embassy in Ankara confirmed the reports and wrote that the soldiers are now safe. “We thank the Turkish authorities for their quick response and the ongoing investigations,” it said in a statement on X.
The soldiers of the “USS Wasp” had completed an exercise with NATO member Turkey; the ship is currently off the coast of Izmir. The Turkish authorities did not initially comment on the incident.
Previously, a group called the Turkish Youth Union (TGB) had shared a video on X showing the attackers in the center of Izmir putting a sack over the head of the suspected soldier while shouting: “Go home Yankee!” The TGB wrote: “We will not allow US soldiers, who have the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands, to stain our country.” They also threatened the soldiers that they would welcome them “as they deserve” every time they set foot on Turkish soil. According to the TGB, 15 of their members were arrested.