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US warship docks in Izmir: TGB puts a sack over the head of a US soldier

The Turkey Youth Union (TGB) shared footage on its social media account showing members putting a sack over the head of a US soldier serving on the USS WASP, the largest US assault ship. In its post, the TGB stated, "US soldiers who carry the blood of our soldiers and Palestinians cannot pollute our country. Every time you step foot on these lands, we will welcome you as you deserve." The Izmir Governor's Office issued a statement regarding the detentions following the incident.

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The Turkey Youth Union shared the moments when a sack was put over the head of a US soldier on its social media account. The TGB used the following expressions in the post in question:

"We put a sack over the heads of US soldiers serving on the USS WASP, the largest US assault ship. US soldiers who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians in their hands cannot pollute our country. Every time you step foot on these lands, we will welcome you as you deserve."

WHAT IS THE SACK INCIDENT

The "sack incident" took place on July 4, 2003, in the city of Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, and caused diplomatic tension between Turkey and the United States (US). The incident occurred during the occupation of Iraq when 11 Turkish special forces soldiers serving in Sulaymaniyah were detained by US soldiers and had sacks placed over their heads.

The placing of sacks over the soldiers' heads caused great anger in Turkish public opinion and led to serious tension in Turkey-US relations.

DETENTION STATEMENT FROM THE IZMIR GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

The Izmir Governor's Office made a statement regarding the US soldiers who had sacks put over their heads on Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street in Konak. The Governor's Office announced that 15 suspects were apprehended and taken into custody.

The statement made by the Izmir Governor's Office is as follows:

On Monday, 02.09.2024, at approximately 16:00, on Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street in the Konak district of our province, a physical assault was carried out against 2 US citizen military personnel in civilian clothing by a group consisting of 15 suspects, 2 women and 13 men, who are members of the Turkey Youth Union (TGB).

Furthermore, our security forces intervened rapidly in the incident, which 5 other US soldiers in civilian clothing also joined after seeing it from a distance.

The 15 suspects who carried out the incident were apprehended and taken into custody upon the instruction of the duty public prosecutor.

A judicial investigation has been initiated regarding the matter.

Respectfully announced to the public.

STATEMENT FROM THE US EMBASSY

We confirm that US military personnel serving on the USS Wasp were subjected to an assault in Izmir today and are currently safe.

We thank the Turkish authorities for their rapid intervention in the incident and for launching an investigation into the matter.