Two U.S. Marines were assaulted by members of the Turkish Youth Union in Izmir, a popular port of call for cruise ships, on Monday.
The incident occurred as the Marines, dressed in civilian clothes, were walking in a shopping area of the port city of Izmir during a routine port visit by the USS Wasp.
10 Arrested, Five Others Face Trial
The Criminal Court of Izmir has arrested ten individuals involved in the assault on charges of “deprivation of liberty of more than one person,” while five others will face trial without being detained.
| The assault, captured on video and posted online by the Turkish Youth Union, showed multiple attackers attempting to put a bag over one Marine’s head while chanting “Yankee go home!” |
The group is known for its anti-American and anti-imperialist stance and has been linked to the nationalist Vatan Party. The incident bears similarities to a 2014 attack in Istanbul, where members of the same group assaulted three U.S. sailors.
Ordered to Stay on Ship
Following the attack, U.S. service members stationed in Izmir were ordered to remain on their ship as a safety measure. The U.S. Embassy in Turkey confirmed the incident and thanked Turkish authorities for their swift response.
| Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder commended the professionalism of the Marines involved, stating that “force protection is always a consideration” for U.S. military personnel overseas. |
The USS Wasp is conducting operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa
This incident comes at a busy time for Izmir, with several cruise ships scheduled to visit this month, including MSC Divina, Marella Discovery, Norwegian Getaway, Seabourn Encore, and Nieuw Statendam.
