Palestinian Attack on US marines in Turkish port city of Izmir

US marines from the warship "USS Wasp" have been physically attacked in the Turkish port city of Izmir. The US embassy in Ankara confirmed corresponding reports and wrote that the soldiers are now safe. "We thank the Turkish authorities for their swift response and ongoing investigation," it continued in a statement on X.

The soldiers of the "USS Wasp" had completed an exercise with NATO member Turkey; the ship is currently off the coast of Izmir. The Turkish authorities did not initially comment on the incident.

A group called the Turkish Youth Union (TGB) had previously distributed a video on X showing how the attackers in the center of Izmir put a sack over the head of the alleged soldier. They shout: "Go home Yankee!". The TGB wrote: "We will not allow US soldiers, who have the blood of our soldiers and that of thousands of Palestinians on their hands, to stain our country." They also threatened the soldiers that they would welcome them "as they deserve" whenever they set foot on Turkish soil. According to the TGB, 15 of its members were arrested.

The Turkish Youth Union (TGB) was founded by a group of students in the early 2000s. It has taken up the cause of defending the independent Turkish Republic against "expansionist and colonial powers".

SDA