Turkish citizens in Izmir have taken to the streets to protest the docking of an American warship, demonstrating their solidarity with Palestinians and their opposition to US military support for "Israel" amid the ongoing war on Gaza.

On Monday night, Turkish political groups assembled at the entrance of Izmir Port to voice their objections to the arrival of the USS Wasp, a US naval ship sent to support "Israel". 

Protesters, waving Palestinian flags and holding banners with messages like “Our country’s ports cannot be supply and logistics points for murderers” and “We do not want the US ship that brings war and death to Palestine in Izmir,” chanted slogans such as “Down with Israel,” “Down with NATO,” and “Down with USA.” They demanded the immediate departure of the American warship from Izmir Port while commemorating Palestinians who have died in the US-backed war on Gaza.

The USS Wasp, which carries nearly 1,500 US soldiers, arrived at Izmir Port on Sunday after participating in joint naval exercises with the Turkish Navy in August. This vessel, along with the USS Oak Hill and the USS New York, has been stationed in the region since June as part of efforts to "deter potential threats to Israel" amid heightened regional tensions.

Protesters have issued a firm warning to the Izmir Governorship, stating they will remain at the port until the ship departs. They also condemned the United States for its role in causing suffering and violence in Iraq, Syria, and the broader West Asia region.

Turkish group attacks US soldiers in Izmir, denounces US presence

In a related context, a Turkish youth group attacked two US soldiers in western Turkiye on Monday, the US Embassy in Turkiye and the local governor's office said, adding that 15 people affiliated with the attack had been detained over the incident.

Izmir's governor's office said in a statement that members of the Turkiye Youth Union (TGB), a youth branch of the nationalist opposition Vatan Party, "physically attacked" two US soldiers who were in civilian clothing in the Konak district. 

The statement added that five US soldiers joined in after witnessing the incident before the police intervened.

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On Monday, a White House spokesperson revealed that Washington was troubled by the incident, adding that it was "appreciative that Turkish police are taking this matter seriously and holding those responsible accountable."

The US Embassy in Turkiye also confirmed the attack and said the US soldiers were now safe.

'US soldiers carry blood on their hands' : TGB

TGB posted a video on X showing a group pinning a man down on the street and shouting slogans. 

According to the group, the man was a soldier on board the USS Wasp - an amphibious assault ship - carrying out a port visit to the Aegean coastal town of Izmir this week, according to the US Embassy in Ankara.

"US 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," TGB said.

ABD'NİN EN BÜYÜK TAARRUZ GEMİSİ USS WASP'TA GÖREVLİ ABD ASKERLERİNE ÇUVAL GEÇİRDİK!

Mehmetçiğimizin ve binlerce Filistinlinin kanını elinde taşıyan ABD askerleri ülkemizi kirletemez.

Bu topraklara her adım attığınızda sizi hak ettiğiniz gibi karşılayacağız!
@USEmbassyTurkey… pic.twitter.com/Brzr6KZP8m

— TGB (@genclikbirligi) September 2, 2024

Despite both the US and Turkiye being NATO members, relations between them have been tense in recent years in light of US sanctions on Turkiye, Washington's alliance with Syrian Kurdish groups like the SDF, among others, considered by Ankara as extremists, and differences over the war in Ukraine. Further discord has arisen over "Israel's" war on Gaza, where over 40,000 people have been martyred in cold blood.