Pentagon praises Türkiye’s swift action in detaining attackers of US Marines in Izmir

The Pentagon expressed gratitude to Türkiye on Tuesday for its prompt action in detaining a group that assaulted two U.S. service members in the western province of Izmir on Monday.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, confirmed that the two Marines involved in the incident are safe and were evaluated at a local hospital as a precaution. They have since returned to the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship docked in Izmir for a scheduled port visit.

“The two Marines are safe, thanks to the swift intervention of other Marines in the area. They were not injured and have been safely returned to the USS Wasp,” Ryder said. He emphasized that local Izmir police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are collaborating on the investigation.

The incident occurred in the Konak district, where 15 members of the Youth Union of Türkiye (TGB) reportedly, “physically attacked” the Marines, who were dressed in civilian clothes. The Izmir governor’s office reported that security forces quickly detained the suspects, and an investigation has been launched.

‘It’s a troubling incident’

Ryder praised the professionalism of the U.S. service members and reiterated the Pentagon’s appreciation for the Turkish authorities’ support. “This is clearly a troubling incident, and we are grateful for the swift response and ongoing cooperation of the Turkish authorities,” he added.

The U.S. Embassy in Türkiye also expressed its thanks to Turkish authorities for their rapid response and commitment to the ongoing investigation.