Two US Marines were assaulted by a small crowd in Turkey’s Izmir on Monday, a video of which went viral on social media. The American soldiers, part of the country’s 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit stationed aboard the USS Wasp, were attacked in the afternoon, according to a statement from the US Sixth Fleet.
‘Yankee, go home’
Video footage of the incident shows several individuals restraining the Marines as one Marine repeatedly called for help. The crowd chanted “Yankee, go home!” while placing a bag over one Marine’s head. “Two US Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1), were attacked in Izmir, Türkiye, while on liberty during a regularly scheduled port visit at about 3:30 p.m. Sept. 2, 2024,” the US Navy said in a statement.
NEW: Two U.S. servicemen from the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, assaulted in Izmir, Turkey.A group of men were heard yelling “Yankee go home” as they assaulted one of the Americans and put a sack over his head.
The men responsible for the attack were members of… pic.twitter.com/yyIZ2e2Sag
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 2, 2024
No injuries
The US Marines managed to escape with the assistance of other service members nearby. They were evaluated at a local hospital but reported no injuries and have since returned to their ship.
The US embassy in Turkey confirmed the assault and expressed gratitude to Turkish authorities for their swift response, according to CNN. Local police intervened during the attack, apprehending 15 suspects associated with the Turkish Youth Union, a nationalist group known for its anti-American stance.
The Izmir Governorship stated that a judicial investigation is underway, with the suspects cooperating with authorities. The USS Wasp had arrived in Izmir just a day before as part of a scheduled port visit following joint military training exercises.
“The 24th MEU is currently on a routine deployment with the Wasp Amphibious Readiness Group (WSP ARG) in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations supporting U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region, including in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, ready for any mission and postured to deter aggression,” the US navy said.
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