US soldiers assaulted in western Turkey

A nationalist Turkish youth group on Monday physically assaulted two US soldiers in western Turkey, the US Embassy in Turkey and the local governor's office said, adding that 15 assailants had been detained over the incident.

In a statement, the Izmir governor's office said members of the Turkey Youth Union (TGB), a youth branch of the nationalist opposition Vatan Party, "physically attacked" two US soldiers dressed in civilian clothes in the Konak district.

It added that five US soldiers joined in after seeing the incident, and police intervened. All 15 attackers had been detained, and an investigation was launched.

A White House spokesperson said on Monday that Washington was "troubled" by the assault but added it was "appreciative that Turkish police are taking this matter seriously and holding those responsible accountable."

The US Embassy to Turkey also confirmed the attack and said the US soldiers were now safe.

"We can confirm reports that US service members embarked aboard the USS Wasp were the victims of an assault in Izmir today and are now safe," it said on X.

Earlier, the TGB posted a video on X showing a group holding down a man on the street and putting a white hood over his head while shouting slogans.

The group said the man was a soldier on board the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship. The US Embassy in Ankara had said earlier on Monday that the vessel was carrying out a port visit to the Aegean coastal town of Izmir this week.

"US soldiers who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands cannot dirty our country. Every time you step foot in these lands, we will meet you the way you deserve," TGB said.

US-Turkey ties have been strained in recent years by the US alliance with Syrian Kurds, whom Turkey deems extremists, and over Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 defences that prompted US sanctions and removal from an F-35 jet programme.

There has also been divergence over Israel's war on Gaza, where over 40,000 people have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and over which Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticised Washington's ally.

Earlier this month, the US ambassador to Turkey said US-Turkey relations are now "in a better place than we've been in a while" and noted Turkey's "useful role" in a recent prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia.

(Reuters)