Two US soldiers are attacked in Turkey while a video shows teenage rebels pulling a hood over a man's head

Two US soldiers were attacked in western Turkey on Monday. A video circulated online that allegedly shows a soldier on a busy Turkish street being surrounded by a group of men who put a hood over his head.

The US Embassy in Turkey confirmed that two soldiers were attacked in Izmir and are now safe. They were aboard the USS Wasp, which arrived in the port city after completing sea training.

The Izmir governor's office told Reuters that members of the Turkish Youth Union (TBG), a youth organization of the nationalist opposition Vatan party, “physically attacked” two civilian-clad U.S. soldiers in the Konak district.

It said five US soldiers arrived after witnessing the incident and that police intervened. All 15 attackers were arrested and an investigation was launched.

Several videos of the chaotic scene, including one posted by TBG, show an unidentified man surrounded by a group that appears to be restraining him.

US officials have yet to confirm whether the video shows the same attack that the US Embassy confirmed

“WE LEFT BAGS TO THE US SOLDIERS SERVING ON THE LARGEST ATTACK SHIP IN THE USA, THE USS WASP!” the group’s post read.

“US soldiers, who have the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands, must not defile our country.”

“Every time you enter these lands, we will give you the welcome you deserve!”

U.S. authorities have yet to confirm whether the video shows the same attack that the U.S. Embassy confirmed.

“We thank the Turkish authorities for their swift response and ongoing investigation,” said a post by the US Embassy on X.

According to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, the USS Wasp is scheduled to deploy to the Naval Forces Europe-Africa area to support the United States and its allies, further promote regional stability, and deter aggression.

The soldiers are from the USS Wasp (pictured in Cyprus) – an amphibious assault ship anchored in Izmir for a scheduled port visit.

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East over the war in Gaza, the US military has increased its presence in the Mediterranean.

A nationwide general strike in Israel has come to a halt after protests broke out in the country against Benjamin Netanyahu's failed attempt to reach a hostage release agreement with Hamas.

The strike was called after the bodies of six hostages kidnapped during the October 7 massacre were found in a tunnel in the Gaza Strip on Saturday. Among them was the Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.