Two American officials assaulted in Izmir, Turkeyon Monday “and are now safe,” the U.S. Embassy in Turkey and the local governor’s office said in statements on X.
“We can confirm reports that US service members who boarded the USS Wasp were victims of an attack in İzmir today and are now safe. We thank Turkish authorities for their prompt response and ongoing investigation,” the US Embassy in Turkey said in a post on Xformerly Twitter.
“A group of 15 people, 2 women and 13 men, members of Turkish Youth Federation (TGB), physically attacked two American servicemen in civilian clothes,” Izmir Governorate, the local governor’s office, said in a post on X.
The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), transits to Izmir, Turkey, on September 1, 2024, for a scheduled port call.
US Navy
“In addition, five plainclothes American soldiers saw the incident from a distance and became involved. Our police forces quickly responded to the incident,” the Izmir Governorate added.
The local authorities took 15 suspects into custody and a “legal investigation has been launched into the matter”, the Izmir governorate said.
The Turkish Youth Union is a national youth and student group that has an anti-American and anti-imperialist stance. They are linked to the Turkish “Vatan Party”, a nationalist political party in Turkey.
The USS Wasp arrived in Izmir on Sunday for a “regularly scheduled port visit”. the Defense Department said.