Two U.S. Marines assaulted by nationalist mob in Turkey; motive for attack unknown

NBC NEWS:  Two U.S. Marines are safe after they were assaulted in Turkey on Monday, U.S. officials said, in an attack that was captured on video that showed a man placing what appears to be a bag over the head of one of the service members.

The Marines, whose unit is on routine deployment with the U.S. Navy’s Wasp Amphibious Readiness Group, were in the port city of Izmir when the assault occurred Monday afternoon, Navy Cmdr. Timothy Gorman said in a statement.

The local governor’s office said in a statement that 15 assailants — including members of a youth branch of a nationalist opposition party — were detained, Reuters reported.

It isn’t clear what prompted the assault. A brief video of the incident verified by NBC News shows a group of people chanting and restraining a man in a commercial area before one of them places the apparent bag over the man's head.

Moments later, another man can be seen charging the group. None of the service members are in uniform.

Other Marines intervened, and no one was injured, the Navy statement said. The service members later returned to their ship, the USS Wasp.

In a statement, the U.S. Embassy in Turkey thanked authorities for their swift response and the ongoing investigation. The service members were safe, and no Marines were detained, the embassy said.

Those involved are cooperating with the local investigation, according to the Navy statement.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com