On Monday, two U.S. Marines were attacked by a group of young nationalists in Izmir, Turkey, according to officials from both nations.
The incident, captured on video, shows the Marines surrounded by about 15 individuals in a commercial area chanting “Yankee go home.”
One of the attackers covered a Marine’s head with a bag, while another man charged at the group. The Marines were not in uniform at the time.
Other Marines intervened, and no injuries were reported. The service members returned to their ship, the USS Wasp, later.
The Marines are part of the U.S. Navy’s Wasp Amphibious Readiness Group, Cmdr. Timothy Gorman confirmed.
National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett expressed concern over the assault and noted appreciation for the Turkish police’s response and accountability efforts.
Local authorities identified the attackers as members of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB), linked to the small nationalist Patriotic Party. The governor’s office reported that the 15 attackers were detained, and five plainclothes U.S. service members were observed nearby.
The TGB claimed responsibility for the attack, expressing their hostility towards the U.S. military presence.
The U.S. Embassy in Turkey commended the swift response from local authorities and confirmed that all Marines were safe and not detained.
The investigation is ongoing, with the involved parties cooperating.
