ISTANBUL — Turkey’s Foreign Ministry lodged a formal protest Monday with the U.S. ambassador over “aggressive” actions by American security personnel during a visit to Washington last week by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that was marred by a violent clash between Turkish guards and protesters.
The summoning of the ambassador, John Bass, sharply escalated a diplomatic rift between Turkey and the United States following the violence. Footage of the brawl was widely circulated on social media, prompting outrage in the United States, along with calls for the prosecution of the Turkish guards and even the expulsion of Turkey’s ambassador to Washington.
American and Turkish officials have provided directly contrasting versions of how the violence unfolded. Local police said the Turkish guards savagely attacked a peaceful protest outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence as Erdogan was visiting. Footage of the melee showed what appeared to be Turkish security guards kicking and choking protesters as police struggled to contain the unrest. It also showed Erdogan watching, from a distance, as the fighting raged.
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In case Pres. Trump doesn't understand, this is a slap in his face by Erdogan. Erdogan met him, took his measure, and believed he could get away with beating up protestors on US soil.
My Response: lease the entire perimeter surrounding the Turk embassy to Kurds. Want to get in or out, pass through Kurdish security.
We need to straighten these assholes up, you cannot treat Americans the way these Turkish thugs did. Kick them all out!!!
As an American I am disappointed that President Trump hasn't addressed this himself. Armed foreign thugs beating on American citizens in our nation's capital is unacceptable. Erdogan was invited here as a guest of the American people and he allows Turkish officials to condemn our citizens and police? Not under the John D presidency.
Please send these animals home...to Turkey!!! Get them off U.S. soil...please!!!