An attack on two U.S. Marines in Turkey highlights the ongoing security concerns for service members stationed overseas, prompting a comprehensive investigation by the U.S. Navy.
At a Glance
- Two Marines from the USS Wasp were assaulted during a visit to Izmir, Turkey.
- The injured Marines were treated at a local hospital and returned to their ship.
- Turkish police and Naval Criminal Investigative Service are probing the incident.
- Fifteen individuals linked to a nationalist youth group were detained in connection.
Details of the Incident
The attack occurred while the Marines were “on liberty” during a port visit in Izmir, Turkey. They were part of the U.S. Navy’s Wasp Amphibious Readiness Group on a routine deployment to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The Marines were in plain clothes at the time of the assault.
The assailants, members of a nationalist youth organization associated with the Turkish Youth Union, attempted to put a sack over one Marine’s head while chanting anti-American slogans, such as “Yankee, go home!” and “Down with U.S. imperialism!” Both Marines were transported to a local hospital as a precaution before they returned to their ship.
The U.S. Embassy in Turkey confirmed the safety of the attacked service members and thanked Turkish authorities for their swift and effective response. Investigations are ongoing, handled by local Izmir police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Investigative Efforts and Responses
The incident has raised alarms about the safety protocols for U.S. military personnel stationed abroad. Cmdr. Timothy Gorman, a spokesperson for the U.S. Sixth Fleet, stated, “Local Izmir police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are cooperating in an investigation of the incident.” The Navy has not disclosed further specifics about the event.
Local Izmir police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are cooperating in an investigation of the incident. – U.S. Navy Cmdr. Timothy Gorman
No Marines have been detained by authorities, and those involved are fully cooperating with the investigation. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit had recently completed a joint training exercise with Turkey, and the USS Wasp was making a scheduled port visit as part of broader U.S. Navy efforts to deter conflict in the Middle East.
Broader Context and Concerning Trends
This is not the first time U.S. service members have faced hostility in Turkey. Similar assaults occurred in 2014 against sailors in Istanbul. The ongoing threat necessitates continuous review and enhancement of security measures for American military personnel abroad.
One protestor said, “US soldiers, who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands, cannot defile our country”
Fifteen members of the nationalist youth group have been arrested in connection to the assault. The group posted videos of the attack on social media, further inflaming anti-American sentiments. Footage showed attempts to place a bag over one Marine’s head and chants of anti-U.S. slogans, highlighting the tensions between local nationalist factions and stationed U.S. troops.
