Turkish security authorities arrested 15 members of an anti-American youth organization today, Monday, for assaulting two members of the American army in the city of Izmir, southwest of the country.
Turkish media reported that the 15 detainees are members of the Turkish Youth Union affiliated with the National Party and were arrested based on orders issued by the public prosecutor.
Social media users circulated a video clip showing some citizens assaulting two men who were said to be American soldiers who left the American amphibious assault ship “USS Wasp”.
The video recording shows a group of young men shouting “American, go home!” while a man is tied up and a bag is tried to be placed over his head.
The Turkish Youth Union said on the X platform: ‘American soldiers who have the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands cannot pollute our country.’
For its part, the US Embassy confirmed the incident, saying that the service members on board the USS Wasp are now safe, and thanke
d the Turkish authorities for their quick response and investigation into the incident.
The USS Wasp arrived in Izmir yesterday, Sunday, after a joint training with Turkish attack ships in the Mediterranean.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency