On Monday, September 2, 2024, two U.S. Marines were assaulted in Izmir, western Turkey, by a small group of anti-American protesters. A viral video of the incident shows one Marine being attacked and a bag placed over his head as he pleaded for help.
The attackers, from a group called the Turkish Youth Group, were filmed chanting “Yankee, go home” as they jostled the Marines and put a sack over one Marine’s head. The nationalist group has made posts on social media that are virulently anti-American, blaming the U.S. for the Palestinians’ suffering and demanding American troops be withdrawn from Turkey.
The U.S. Embassy in Turkey, on the other hand, said the Marines were among those coming off the USS Wasp-an amphibious assault ship deployed in the Middle East amid tensions heightened by the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Embassy officials, on their part, reassured the people that the Marines are already in safety and extended their appreciation to Turkish authorities for their timely response and continuous investigation.
Shortly after the incident, Turkish police arrested at least 15 people allegedly involved in the attack. The Turkish Youth Group, vocal with anti-American sentiments, has been blamed for such attacks in the past. In 2021, the same group carried out an attack in Istanbul where they hooded a U.S. service member’s head.
The assault has forthwith come under censure from U.S. officials. White House national security spokesperson Sean Savett condemned the attack while stating appreciation for a swift action taken by Turkish police to deal with the issue and bringing the offenders before justice.
Reactions by politicians in the US have been all over the board. Former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley attacked Turkey for its handling of the situation, saying that such attacks on US military personnel cannot go unanswered. She praised the composure during the attack of the Marines and further called for holding Turkey responsible.
Although a member of NATO and thereby an ally of the United States, relations with Western countries have somewhat soured, especially during the presidency of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Erdoğan has become especially close to Russia and is critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
As the investigation continues, the discussion will be on future avoidance of such incidents and what protection is necessary for international personnel serving in volatile areas. The issue is expected to be taken up by the U.S. and Turkey with more security improvements and diplomatic deliberations for their alliance to come intact through these trying times.
