Anti-American protesters shouting "Yankee, go home!" roughed up two or three U.S. Navy sailors in Istanbul, Turkey, near where the destroyer Ross is docked on an inlet of the Bosphorus Strait in the Black Sea.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus called the attack "reprehensible" in a statement posted Wednesday on Facebook.
"We understand that local law enforcement have suspects in custody," said Mabus, who was in Ankara on Wednesday morning to meet with the Turkish government. "We commend this swift action and are certain that those who did this will be held accountable.
"We have long-enjoyed a strong relationship with Turkey for many years. As NATO allies, we share common interests, and this incident will have no impact on that strong relationship. Turkish ports have long been very popular destinations for U.S. Navy ships, and our sailors have enjoyed the warm hospitality that has traditionally been extended."
A video posted on YouTube shows up to 20 men shouting at the sailors, calling them killers and briefly placing white bags over their heads. A spokesman for the Youth Association, Melik Dibek, said the Americans confirmed they were U.S. servicemen.
The protesters claimed to be from a group called the "Turkish Youth Union," according to a statement from U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa.
"It appears the video in question reflects an incident experienced by three USS Ross sailors on liberty in Istanbul, during a port visit," said Navy Capt. Greg Hicks, European Command spokesman, in an emailed statement to Navy Times. "The incident occurred Wednesday morning. U.S. Navy officials are working with the embassy and NCIS to investigate the incident.
"The three sailors were unharmed and are safely back aboard," Hicks said. "They did not require medical attention. The incident does not reflect the hospitality nor the welcome reception our ships receive in port in Turkey. Liberty on board the Ross has been cancelled for the remainder of the day. It is due to get underway shortly per its normal schedule. Liberty on future ship visits is still to be determined pending the investigation."
On its official Twitter feed, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara condemned the attack:
"The video showing an assault on three visiting American sailors is appalling. While we respect the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, we condemn today's attack in Istanbul, and have no doubt the vast majority of Turks would join us in rejecting an action that so disrespects Turkey's reputation for hospitality."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Navy officials said Thursday no decisions have been made on whether to forgo future port calls in Turkey or restrict personnel there after a group of protesters roughed up three Navy sailors in Istanbul.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to publicly disclose the information.
"We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Turkey for many years," the Navy said in a statement Wednesday. "As NATO allies, we share common interests, and this incident will not diminish that strong relationship. Turkish ports have long been very popular destinations for U.S. Navy ships, and our sailors have enjoyed the warm hospitality that has traditionally been extended."
A group of Turkish protesters shouting "Yankee, go home!" attacked three sailors Wednesday near where the USS Ross, a guided-missile destroyer, was docked on an inlet of the Bosphorus Strait in the Black Sea.
"We find you as murderers, as killers, we want you to get out of our land," one of the protesters told the servicemen, according to video of the incident.
Twelve Turkish nationalists detained after the attack were released Thursday, but could face charges for causing insult and injury, Reuters reported, citing local media reports.
The group, which carried a banner of the left-leaning Youth Association of Turkey, threw red paint at the sailors and briefly managed to put white sacks over their heads. The footage ends with the sailors, who were not in uniform, running off while the protesters give chase.
Anti-American sentiment in Turkey is not widespread, but some Turks accuse the United States of meddling in regional affairs.
Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said the attacks were carried out by "what appeared to be thugs on the street."
"These attackers are a great discredit upon the Turks and the Turkish reputation for hospitality," he said. "We enjoy a strong relationship with our NATO ally Turkey. We're confident the Turks will rapidly and effectively investigate (the incident)."
The Pentagon said the sailors, who were not injured, were back aboard the ship Wednesday following the cancellation of their shore leave.
"We condemn this disrespectful act, which is in no way tolerable," Tanju Bilgiç, spokesman for Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement.
The attack appears to have been inspired by an incident in Iraq in 2003, when U.S. forces detained a Turkish special forces unit and led its members away with hoods over their heads, Reuters reported.
