U.S. Service Members Assaulted in Turkey

Two U.S. service members from the USS Wasp were assaulted in Izmir, Turkey, by a group affiliated with the anti-American Turkish Youth Union. The U.S. Embassy confirmed their safety following the incident, which involved the group placing a sack over one service member's head while chanting 'Yankee go home.' Turkish authorities swiftly detained 15 individuals involved in the attack, consisting of 13 men and 2 women, and initiated a judicial investigation. The incident follows the USS Wasp's routine port visit after conducting joint training exercises with Turkish naval forces. The Turkish Youth Union, linked to the nationalist Vatan Party, issued statements condemning U.S. military presence in Turkey, reflecting ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. relations in the region. Local officials reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of foreign military personnel after this concerning event.