Two U.S. service members were assaulted in Izmir, Turkey, on 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 U.S. service members embarked aboard the USS Wasp were the victims of an assault in İzmir today and are now safe. We thank Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation,” the U.S. Embassy in Turkey said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“A group of 15 people, 2 women and 13 men, members of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB), physically attacked 2 U.S. military personnel in civilian clothes,” the Izmir Governorship, the local governor’s office, said in a post on X.
The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), transits into Izmir, Turkey, on Sept. 1, 2024, for a scheduled port visit.
US Navy
“In addition, 5 plain clothes US soldiers saw the incident from a distance, and got involved. Our police forces quickly responded to the incident,” the Izmir Governorship added.
The local authorities took 15 suspects into custody and a “judicial investigation has been initiated regarding the matter,” the Izmir Governorship 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 Department of Defense said.
Two USS Wasp service members were recently assaulted by a group of individuals in Turkey, sparking outrage and concern among military officials and the public. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when the two service members, who were on shore leave in Istanbul, were approached by a group of individuals who began to harass and physically assault them.
The service members, who have not been identified, were reportedly targeted because of their affiliation with the USS Wasp, a US Navy amphibious assault ship that was docked in Istanbul at the time. The attackers allegedly made derogatory remarks about the US military and its presence in the region before escalating the situation into a physical altercation.
The two service members sustained minor injuries in the attack and were able to defend themselves until local authorities arrived on the scene to intervene. The attackers fled the scene before they could be apprehended, but Turkish police have launched an investigation into the incident and are working to identify and apprehend those responsible.
The US Navy has condemned the attack and is working closely with Turkish authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. In a statement, Admiral John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, expressed his concern for the safety and well-being of all service members stationed abroad and reiterated the Navy’s commitment to protecting its personnel.
Incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the risks that service members face when deployed overseas, particularly in regions where anti-American sentiment may be prevalent. It also highlights the importance of maintaining strong diplomatic relations with host countries and ensuring that service members are adequately trained and prepared to handle potentially dangerous situations.
As the investigation into the assault on the USS Wasp service members continues, it is crucial that all parties involved work together to ensure that justice is served and that measures are put in place to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The safety and security of our military personnel should always be a top priority, both at home and abroad.
