US Marines Targeted in Attack on Streets of NATO Ally

At least two members of the U.S. Marine Corp. were attacked in a brazen assault on the streets of Turkey on Monday at the hands of a nationalist youth group, according to a statement from the American Embassy in Turkey.

Video circulating on social media showed a group of men holding down one of the servicemen, dressed in civilian clothes, while placing a hood over his head and chanting "Yankee, go home!"

The Turkey Youth Union (TGB), a branch of the far-right Vatan party, took responsibility for the assault, saying: "No one will be able to respond to the cries for help from U.S. soldiers. Your hands are stained with the blood of our brave soldiers and thousands of Palestinians. You will leave our lands!"

The U.S. Embassy confirmed in a statement that the victims were American marines who were stationed aboard the USS Wasp. The amphibious assault ship is currently anchored off western Turkey for a regularly scheduled port visit, according to the Pentagon.

The embassy said the servicemen were safe.

"We can confirm reports that US service members embarked aboard the USS Wasp were the victims of an assault in İzmir today, and are now safe," it said on X, formerly Twitter. "We thank Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation."

The Pentagon said it was investigating the video.

"We've seen the reports on social media about a U.S. service member being assaulted in Izmir and are working to confirm the details of what occurred," Navy Forces Europe spokesman Commander Tim Gorman said in a statement, according to the New York Post.

The local governor's office in Izmir added that "5 plain clothes US soldiers saw the incident from a distance, and got involved. Our police forces quickly responded to the incident."

Fifteen members of the TGB, 13 men and two women, were taken into custody and a "judicial investigation has been initiated regarding the matter," the Izmir government added.

The broad daylight attack was a startling reminder of the deep fissures on display over the war in Gaza, even among NATO allies. Turkey has been the most vocal member of the military alliance calling for a permanent ceasefire and has suspended all trade with Israel over its conduct in Gaza.

The USS Wasp a multipurpose amphibious assault ship that has served as the lead vessel of her class in the United States Navy since her commissioning on July 29, 1989. The Wasp is designed to project power ashore, carrying a complement of 1,687 troops and a variety of aircraft including helicopters, tiltrotor aircraft, and fighter jets.

Update 9/3/24: 9:30 a.m. ET: This story and headline were updated to reflect that the victims of the attack were U.S. Marines.