Türkiye arrests 15 radical nationalists for attacking two US soldiers

Turkey has arrested 15 members of a radical nationalist youth movement on suspicion of attacking two US military personnel in the western city of Izmir, authorities said on Monday.

Those arrested are members of the vehemently anti-American Turkish Youth Union (TGB), whose members have already carried out attacks on US soldiers in the past.

The sailors were part of the crew of the USS Wasp, an American amphibious assault ship that has been anchored in Izmir since September 1.

“A group of 15 TGB members physically attacked two American soldiers in civilian clothes,” said a statement from the Izmir prefecture.

“Our law enforcement agencies quickly intervened … Fifteen suspects were arrested,” the statement added.