On September 2, 2024, Turkish authorities arrested 15 people after members of a nationalist youth organization attacked two United States soldiers in the city of Izmir. 

The Izmir governor’s office announced in a statement that “two American soldiers in civilian clothes were physically assaulted by a group of 15 members of the Turkish Youth Union.”

The statement also noted that local law enforcement detained the suspects. The soldiers in this incident were serving on the 

It added that the suspects were taken in by local police. USS Wasp aircraft carrier that docked in Izmir on September 1. 

“We can confirm reports that US service members embarked aboard the USS Wasp were the victims of an assault in Izmir today, and are now safe. We thank Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation,” the US embassy in Turkey announced on social media. 

In a video posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, members of the Turkish youth group were heard yelling, “Yankee, go home!” during the fight. 

One attacker was attempting to put a bag over the head of one of the US soldiers. Another Turkish male in the vicinity was holding the flag of the Turkish Youth Union (TBG), the group that the attackers are a member of. 

“We put sacks on the US soldiers serving on the largest attack ship of the USA, USS WASP!” TBG declared in a statement posted on social media. 

“US soldiers, who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands, cannot defile our country. Every time you step into these lands, we will welcome you as you deserve!” , it continued. 

TBG has a long history of attacking American service members. For example, the Cradle reported that during two separate incidents in 2014 and 2016 TBG members put white sacks over the heads of US troops. 

Due to the US’s constant interventions abroad and support for regimes like Israel, it has earned itself tons of enemies. On top of that, the country has become a joke on the world stage due to the incompetent Biden regime’s long list of policy failures. These factors make it a juicy target for bad actors on the world stage. 

Izmir is a city of nearly 3 million people and has generally been perceived as part of Turkey’s more modernized, Western part of the country. However, things are changing on the world stage. 

Turkey became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1952. However, things are changing on the world stage. 

Turkey has a long track record of hedging and playing off great powers against each other to position itself as a major played on the world stage.

As the geopolitical gravity moves towards Eurasia, Turkey will likely look towards the East as it consummates alliances and strategic partners for its own benefit. This is just one of many reasons the US should abandon NATO and let countries like Turkey defend themselves.