Turkish court arrests ten from nationalist youth group for attacking US soldiers docked in Izmir

A Turkish court has arrested ten people from the nationalist Turkey Youth Union (TGB) including leadership for placing hoods over US soldiers stationed on the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship docked at the port of western Izmir province.

Wednesday September 04 2024 10:02 am

TGB members pose at the Izmir courthouse after the arrest ruling.

Duvar English

A Turkish court on Sept. 3 arrested ten of the fifteen people detained in connection with the assault on US soldiers stationed at the Aegean province of Izmir.

The arrests included members and leadership of the nationalist Turkey Youth Union (TGB), a youth branch of the nationalist opposition Patriotic Party (VP). Chair Kayahan Çetin, Youth Vanguard (Öncü Gençlik) chair Samet Kunt, and 13 members were detained at the scene in Izmir’s Kıbrıs Şehitleri Avenue.

After processing at the police station, authorities referred the detainees to court. Following their statements, the prosecutor requested judicial control for five individuals and issued arrest warrants for ten others. Subsequently, the court ordered the arrest of 10 individuals.

The USS Wasp, an American amphibious assault ship previously docked in southern Cyprus and drew protests, faced similar reactions upon its arrival in Izmir. A group of TGB members on Sept. 2 protested the ship's docking by placing a hood over the head of a soldier stationed on board.

The group had shared footage of the attack on their X account, saying “U.S. 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."

A White House spokesperson said that Washington was "troubled" by the assault but "appreciative” of the Turkish police’s swift and serious intervention.