The U.S. Embassy in Turkey and the local governor said a nationalist youth group physically attacked two American soldiers in western Turkey on Monday. They said 15 attackers had been detained in connection with the incident.
Izmir's governor said in a statement that members of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB), the youth branch of the nationalist opposition Vatan Party, “physically attacked” two American soldiers dressed in civilian clothes in the Konak district.
He added that five American soldiers joined in after seeing the incident and that police intervened. All 15 attackers were detained and an investigation was launched, it said.
A White House spokesman said Monday that Washington was “troubled” by the attack but added that it was “grateful that Turkish police are taking this matter seriously and holding those responsible accountable.”
The US Embassy in Turkey also confirmed the attack and said the American soldiers were now safe.
“We can confirm reports that US service members aboard the USS Wasp were attacked in Izmir today and are now safe,” the X social media platform said in a statement.
Earlier, TGB published a video on X showing a group of people holding a man on the street and putting a white hood over his head while shouting slogans.
The group said the man was a soldier aboard the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship. Earlier on Monday, the US Embassy in Ankara said the ship was visiting the Aegean port city of Izmir this week.
“American soldiers, who have the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands, cannot stain our country. Every time you set foot on these lands, we will welcome you the way you deserve,” TGB said.
Relations between the United States and Turkey have been strained in recent years over the United States' alliance with Syrian Kurds, whom Turkey views as extremists, and Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems, which led to U.S. sanctions and the country's exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program.
There is also disagreement over Israel's war in Gaza, which authorities in Gaza say has killed more than 40,000 people and over which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticized Washington's ally.
Earlier this month, the US ambassador to Turkey said that relations between the US and Turkey are now “at the best level they have ever been” and noted the “helpful role” Turkey played in the recent prisoner swap between the United States and Russia.