Video appears to show a gang of Turkish ultra-nationalists attacking US Navy sailors in Istanbul

GlobalPost

There are endless reasons why people around the world might be angry at the US military. But there's no reason to attack a civilian-clothed Navy sailor on the street. Really not okay.

That's what seems to have happened today on a street in Istanbul, when a gang of Turkish ultra-nationalists harassed and assaulted three US Navy soldiers who were there on leave. As video below appears to show, the soldiers seem genuinely frightened and not at all down for a fight as they're surrounded by members of an extremist group called the Turkish Youth Union. The attackers call them "murderers" and chant "Yankee, go home" while pushing, grabbing, throwing paint, and trying to pull plastic bags over their heads.

It's all very disturbing.

The US Embassy in Turkey responded to the attack in a series of tweets.

The video is a startling reminder that while Turkey remains a close US ally, the United States is deeply unpopular there.

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