U.S. Marines Assaulted in Turkey by Nationalist Group Members
Two U.S. Marines were attacked in Izmir, Turkey, by members of a nationalist group. Suspects were detained, and U.S. officials are cooperating with Turkish authorities in the investigation.
On September 2, 2024, two U.S. Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit were assaulted in Izmir, Turkey, by members of a nationalist organization. The incident occurred in Konak, a central district of Izmir, which is the third-largest city in Turkey and has a rich history dating back to 3000 BC.
Authorities reported that thirteen men and two women, allegedly associated with the Turkish Youth Union, were detained following the attack. This organization, founded in 2006, is known for its opposition to U.S. and European Union influence in Turkey, reflecting the complex nature of Turkey-U.S. relations that have been strained in recent years.
The assaulted Marines were in civilian attire at the time of the incident. Local law enforcement intervened, and fellow Marines in the vicinity provided assistance. As a precautionary measure, the two service members were taken to a hospital but were found to be uninjured and subsequently returned to their ship, the USS Wasp.
The USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship commissioned in 1989, had arrived in Izmir on September 1, 2024, following joint training exercises with the Turkish Naval Forces. This collaboration highlights the longstanding military cooperation between the two nations, as Turkey has been a NATO member since 1952, and U.S.-Turkey diplomatic relations date back to 1831.
Cmdr. Tim Gorman, a spokesperson for the U.S. Sixth Fleet, which is headquartered in Naples, Italy, stated:
"Local Izmir police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are cooperating in an investigation of the incident. No Marines have been detained by authorities and those involved are cooperating with investigators."
The Turkish Youth Union posted a video of the attack on social media, showing a group pushing two men and covering one's head with what appeared to be a white sack, while chanting "Yankee, go home" in English. This incident is reminiscent of similar events in the past, including a 2014 attack on three U.S. sailors in Istanbul and a 2016 attempt to place a sack over a U.S. soldier's head.
These actions by the Turkish Youth Union seem to reference a 2003 incident where U.S. troops detained 11 Turkish special forces soldiers in Iraq, an event that caused significant public outrage in Turkey. This historical context underscores the complex dynamics of U.S.-Turkey relations, despite Turkey hosting several U.S. military bases, including the strategically important Incirlik Air Base.
Sean Savett, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, expressed concern over the assault and appreciation for the Turkish authorities' response:
"We are troubled by this assault on US service members and are appreciative that Turkish police are taking this matter seriously and holding those responsible accountable."
As the investigation continues, this incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining positive relations between the United States and Turkey, two nations with a long history of diplomatic and military cooperation, yet facing occasional tensions due to geopolitical complexities.
