Fifteen members of the radical nationalist youth movement, Turkish Youth Union (TGB), were arrested for alleged assault against two U.S. military personnel in Izmir, local authorities reported on Monday.
The incident took place on September 1, while the USS Wasp, an American amphibious assault ship, was docked in the western Turkish city.
The two sailors were attacked by TGB members dressed in civilian clothing. Local law enforcement quickly intervened, arresting the 15 suspects.
In a video shared on social media, TGB members are seen forcing a bag over the head of one of the sailors while chanting, “Yankee go home!” The group justified their actions by citing a 2003 incident in Iraq, where U.S. forces allegedly detained and mistreated a Turkish soldier.
The TGB, known for its anti-American stance, has a history of targeting U.S. servicemen. This latest incident is likely to further strain U.S.-Turkey relations, which have been marked by disagreements over issues such as Syria, the Kurdish question, and Turkey’s bid to join the European Union.