ANKARA, Turkey – On Monday, two U.S. soldiers were attacked by a nationalist youth group in western Turkey, as reported by both the U.S. Embassy in Turkey and the local governor’s office. Authorities have detained 15 individuals in connection with the incident.

The Izmir governor’s office released a statement saying that members of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB), affiliated with the nationalist opposition Vatan Party, “physically attacked” the two American soldiers, who were in civilian attire, in the Konak district.

According to the statement, additional U.S. soldiers who witnessed the attack intervened, prompting a police response. Authorities confirmed that all 15 individuals involved in the assault had been arrested, and an investigation is underway.

The U.S. Embassy in Turkey verified the attack, stating that the soldiers are now safe.

“We can confirm that U.S. service members aboard the USS Wasp were assaulted in Izmir today and are now safe,” the embassy shared on the social media platform X.

Earlier, the TGB had shared a video on X showing a group restraining a man in the street and covering his head with a white hood while shouting slogans.

The group claimed that the individual was a soldier from the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara had mentioned earlier that the ship was docked for a port visit in the coastal city of Izmir this week.

The TGB stated, “U.S. soldiers who have the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands cannot tarnish our country. Each time you set foot here, we will respond as you deserve.”