Turkish Nationalist Group Attacks U.S. Marines in Izmir: 15 Arrested Amid Rising Tensions

U.S. Marines Assaulted in Turkey
In a troubling incident highlighting the ongoing tensions between Turkey and the United States, two U.S. Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit were attacked by members of a Turkish nationalist youth organization in Izmir. The assault took place on Monday afternoon while the Marines were on liberty from the USS Wasp.

Nationalist Group Behind the Attack
The attack was reportedly carried out by members of the Turkish Youth Union, an anti-American nationalist organization with a history of hostility toward U.S. service members. This group, affiliated with the Patriotic Party, a nationalist faction in Turkey, has previously engaged in similar actions, including a 2014 incident in which U.S. sailors were assaulted in Istanbul.

Disturbing Video Surfaces
Video footage confirmed by U.S. officials and posted on social media shows the harrowing moment when several individuals restrained the Marines as a crowd chanted, “Yankee, go home!” One Marine can be heard repeatedly calling for help, while another had a bag forcibly placed over his head—a symbolic reference to the 2003 “hood incident,” where U.S. troops detained Turkish soldiers in Iraq under similar circumstances.

Response and Aftermath
The Marines managed to escape with the help of their comrades in the area and were promptly screened at a local hospital. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the Marines returned safely to the USS Wasp. The U.S. Embassy in Turkey issued a statement confirming the safety of the service members and expressed gratitude to Turkish authorities for their swift response and ongoing investigation.

Investigation Underway
Local Izmir police, in collaboration with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), have detained 15 suspects, including 13 men and two women, in connection with the assault. Authorities are continuing their investigation to hold those responsible accountable. Despite the incident, no Marines were detained, and all involved parties reportedly cooperated with investigators.

Historical Context and Broader Implications
This incident is the latest in a series of attacks by the Turkish Youth Union against U.S. personnel in Turkey. The group’s actions reflect deep-rooted anti-American sentiment within certain nationalist circles in Turkey, exacerbated by recent geopolitical tensions. The assault comes at a time when U.S.-Turkey relations are already strained, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s criticism of U.S. policies and Turkey’s contentious role within NATO further complicating the bilateral relationship.

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit continues to operate in the eastern Mediterranean as part of the USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, underscoring the region’s strategic importance amidst escalating regional conflicts.