News / Middle East

Assault on Sailors Highlights Turkish Anger at US

U.S. sailors stand aboard the USS Ross as it leaves from the port in Istanbul, Nov. 13, 2014.
U.S. sailors stand aboard the USS Ross as it leaves from the port in Istanbul, Nov. 13, 2014.
Dorian Jones

Prosecutors in Turkey released a dozen nationalist protesters Thursday who attacked three American sailors in Istanbul the day before.

The release came just ahead of a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and at a time of tense U.S.-Turkish relations.

The protesters had been detained for manhandling the Americans and tossing paint-filled balloons at them while shouting anti-American slogans, but all charges against the protesters were dropped. The sailors, all from the destroyer USS Ross, which was visiting Istanbul, escaped without harm.  

Diplomatic columnist Semih Idiz of Turkey’s Taraf newspaper and the website Al-Monitor said the attack and the authorities' reaction were worrying signs of deteriorating U.S.-Turkish relations.

"There is this general feeling in Turkey, in the public and amongst politicians, that America is only in the region to pursue its own agenda, against the interests of regional countries," Idiz said. "Given that Turkey is a predominantly Islamic country, there is also the perception that America is generally anti-Islamic. I think when all these are combined, [they] result in these kinds of behaviors and also the kind of leniency we are seeing here."

Turkish men are seen placing a plastic bag over the head of a U.S. sailor in Istanbul, Turkey, in a YouTube video, Nov. 12, 2014.Turkish men are seen placing a plastic bag over the head of a U.S. sailor in Istanbul, Turkey, in a YouTube video, Nov. 12, 2014.
x
Turkish men are seen placing a plastic bag over the head of a U.S. sailor in Istanbul, Turkey, in a YouTube video, Nov. 12, 2014.
Turkish men are seen placing a plastic bag over the head of a U.S. sailor in Istanbul, Turkey, in a YouTube video, Nov. 12, 2014.

The attack, carried out by a group called the Turkish Youth Union, apparently was orchestrated by the activists to capture attention. The assault was captured on a video shot from within the group of protesters, and they shouted down the sailors in English.

The attackers surrounded the Americans in central Istanbul and briefly put bags over their heads. When the sailors broke free and ran toward safety, the protesters followed, chanting, "Yankees, go home!"

Pentagon blames 'thugs'

Authorities in Washington reacted quickly. The Pentagon said it was an ugly attack, carried out by "thugs."

Just a few hours after the State Department said the incident was "unacceptable," the Turkish attackers were freed.

"We support the right to peaceful protest," said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, "but this event clearly crossed the line, from peaceful protest to violence and threats. U.S. officials are working with Turkish authorities to investigate this incident."

Despite Washington's condemnation, reaction from the Turkish side has been muted; the foreign ministry in Ankara issued a brief statement expressing regret.

Diplomatic observers said Washington was not likely to pursue the matter in light of Biden's visit to Turkey next week.

Washington is pressing Ankara to open up its bases as part of the war against the Islamic State group, but the Turkish government has been critical of the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic radicals. Ankara wants military action by the U.S. allies to be broadened to include the Assad regime in Damascus as well as the Islamic State fighters.

The U.S.-based Pew Research Center reports its surveys indicate anti-American feelings have risen sharply in Turkey, and now are held by more than 70 percent of the population.

Worrying trend

Columnist Idiz said he expected diplomatic efforts to paper over the differences between Washington and Ankara, but that deep animosities were likely to remain. He said he saw the attack on the American sailors as part of a worrying trend.

"This is not the first incident," Idiz said. "I presumed Americans were alert to possibility of such incidents and I expect they will be more alert from now on, because the possibility exists and the lenient way the authorities appear to have reacted now, I think, will be an encouragement for such events. This can be interpreted within the general anti-Americanism that is pervasive in Turkey. It's a fact that politicians in Turkey also use this to their advantage."

With general elections set for June, and anti-Americanism playing well in the public arena, observers expect public animosity and political ill will toward the United States will continue for some time.

You May Like

Myanmar Enters Election Year With Powerful Military Largely Unchanged

As much of the nation has undergone dramatic reform, military's dominant role in both economy and political landscape remains undiminished More

Video Israeli-Palestinian Divide Deepens in Turbulent Year

The 50-day conflict, clashes over Jerusalem holy site bode ill for 2015, analysts say More

Free-Tailed Bats Possible Source of Current Ebola Epidemic

During mission to village where current outbreak began in Guinea, researchers interviewed villagers, monitored local wildlife, captured and sampled bats More

This forum has been closed.
Comment Sorting
Comments
     
by: Vinicius F R de S e Silva from: Antalya, Turkey
November 21, 2014 2:02 AM
As a moderately wealthy and well-travelled Brazilian investor living in the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, I find it just apalling how sensitive and prejudiced Americans are. That incident with the sailors was just a bunch of left-wing communist college students (non-religious and non-muslims) having fun with the revenge of the 2003 incident in Iraq when American troops infamously detained Turkish allies who were trying to help and put hoods on their heads, and also the recent US absurd supplying of weapons to the terrorists of the PKK who haunt Turks. Turkey is, pure and simple, an incredibly beautiful and safe country,, with TEN TIMES LESS murders and rape than the United States of America, and American tourists are treated with hospitality and love here, as I am. Period!


by: Hamik C Gregory from: Kings Beach, CA
November 18, 2014 9:45 PM
For cordial and respectful hospitality, Americans should visit Iran instead. The more anti Western the government, the more pro Western the general public. Besides, what the government preaches is very different than what people believe. Iran is the only place in the Middle East where this principle applies.


by: SAS from: Pittsburgh
November 16, 2014 9:26 PM
The US military should not be sent to other countries. Americans who want to serve their country should do it at home, and in a way which does not include violence.


by: Mark from: USA
November 14, 2014 1:47 PM
I am American and I visited this country many times, thy are very hospitable and kind people, few man do not speak for the whole country, and these were soldiers, represen war and war is all around Turkey, US uses Turkey for her dirty games all the time some people are sick and tired of wars, and US is the leading major proportion of wars all over the world,


by: moritz katz from: Germany
November 14, 2014 1:43 PM
I live a number of years in Turkey and this minor event is out of character in as much Turks are warm friendly and generous certainly their hospitality is second to none.
Had they actually wanted to harm the sailor boy they would have instead the gave them and the world a message warmongers are unwanted. In fact as an American I realize because of America politics I a no longer warmly welcomed in THEIR country and hated in many other countries. The sailor didn't escape they were allowed to run away in their wet pants.

In Response

by: Patrick from: USA
November 14, 2014 5:31 PM
You an American from your syntax and diction obviously are not.


by: GeorgeJ from: Boston
November 14, 2014 5:06 AM
I think this is more than what it appears. It looked like they tried to kidnap them.
Boycott Turkey..


by: Patrick from: USA
November 13, 2014 10:57 PM
I wonder how anti-American Turkey would feel if NATO cut it loose to face Putin's Russia to the east and ISIS to the south alone.

In Response

by: moritz katz from: Germany
November 14, 2014 1:49 PM
Turkey and Russian has had a excellent relationship for a very long time and probably this would continue long after NATO strings were cut.


by: Tom from: America
November 13, 2014 8:46 PM
read "Run toward the blazing sun" and boycott tourism to Turkey.


by: Claris Cohburg from: USA
November 13, 2014 4:42 PM
really..?? "Turkish Anger"...?? is that what it highlights... Dorian Jones...??

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Ebola Devastates W. Africa, Horrifies World in 2014i
X
Carol Pearson
December 30, 2014 12:18 AM
The Ebola virus rampaged through West Africa in 2014 and remains a humanitarian crisis. More than 20,000 people likely have been infected by the virus, which so far has killed at least 7,842. VOA's Carol Pearson reports.
Video

Video Ebola Devastates W. Africa, Horrifies World in 2014

The Ebola virus rampaged through West Africa in 2014 and remains a humanitarian crisis. More than 20,000 people likely have been infected by the virus, which so far has killed at least 7,842. VOA's Carol Pearson reports.
Video

Video Tumultuous Year Heightens Israeli-Palestinian Tensions, Despair

A series of events in 2014 heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians to levels not seen in years. And the new year portends even more difficult times. VOA’s Scott Bobb reports from Jerusalem.
Video

Video Foreign Policy Battles Loom Between Obama, Republican-led Congress

Some of President Barack Obama’s loudest critics on foreign policy will have new powers as chairmen of various Senate committees when Republicans assume control of both houses of Congress in January. VOA Senate correspondent Michael Bowman reports, from Ukraine to the Middle East, the Obama administration can expect enhanced scrutiny of its outreach to the world.
Video

Video Russians Head Into Holiday Facing Economic Malaise

Russian preparations for the New Year holiday are clouded by economic recession and a tumbling currency, the ruble. Nonetheless, people in the Russian capital appear to be in a festive mood. VOA's Daniel Schearf reports from Moscow.
Video

Video Mombasa in Holiday Tourism Slump Due to Security Fears

Kenya's usually popular beachside tourist destination of Mombasa is seeing a much slower holiday season this year due to fears of insecurity as the country has suffered from a string of terror attacks linked to Somali militants. Mohammed Yusuf reports for VOA on how businessmen and tourists feel about the situation.
Video

Video For Somalis, 2014 Marked by Political Instability Within Government

While Somalia has long been torn apart by warfare and violence, this year one of the country's biggest challenges has come from within the government, as political infighting curtails the country's progress, threatens security gains and disappoints the international community. VOA's Gabe Joselow report.
Video

Video 2014 Saw Intensification of Boko Haram Insurgency

The year 2014 saw Nigerian militant sect Boko Haram intensify its five-year insurgency and target civilians in large numbers as it seized territory in the northeast. The kidnapping of nearly 300 schoolgirls in Chibok in April sparked global outrage, but failed to become the turning point against the sect that Nigeria’s president said it would be. The picture at year's end is one of devastation and uncertainty. VOA’s Anne Look reports.
Video

Video Estimates Rising of Foreign Fighters in Iraq, Syria

Foreign fighters are making more of a mark on the battles raging across Syria and Iraq than initially thought. VOA's Jeff Seldin has more.

Circumventing Censorship

An Internet Primer for Healthy Web Habits

As surveillance and censoring technologies advance, so, too, do new tools for your computer or mobile device that help protect your privacy and break through Internet censorship.
More

All About America

AppleAndroid