Türkiye arrests 15 people accused of attacking US soldiers

Ankara, Turkey/Washington – A nationalist Turkish youth group physically attacked two U.S. soldiers in western Turkey on Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Turkey and the local governor’s office said, adding that 15 attackers were detained in connection with the incident.

The Izmir governor’s office said in a statement that members of the Youth Union of Turkey (TGB), the youth wing of the nationalist opposition party Vatan, “physically attacked” two U.S. soldiers dressed in civilian clothes in the Konak district.

He added that five U.S. soldiers joined the attack after witnessing the incident, and police intervened. All 15 attackers were detained and an investigation was launched, it said.

A White House spokesman said Monday that Washington was “concerned” by the attack but added that he “appreciates that Turkish police are taking this matter seriously and are 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 American servicemen aboard the USS Wasp were attacked in Izmir today and are now safe,” the X social media platform reported.

Earlier, TGB posted a video on X showing a group of people holding a man down on the street, putting a white hood over his head and shouting slogans.

The group said the man was a soldier aboard the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara said earlier Monday that the ship was making a port visit to the Aegean coastal city of Izmir this week.

“US soldiers, who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands, cannot dirty our country. Every time you set foot on these lands, we will meet you as you deserve,” he told TGB.

U.S.-Turkey relations have become strained in recent years over the U.S. alliance with the Syrian Kurds, whom Turkey considers extremists, and over Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems, which led to U.S. sanctions and the withdrawal of the F-35 program.

There were also differences over Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip, in which Gaza authorities say more than 40,000 people have been killed and for which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticized Washington’s ally.

Earlier this month, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey said U.S.-Turkey relations were now “in better shape than they have been in some time” and noted the “useful role” Turkey played in the recent prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia.

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  Reuters Agency

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