ISTANBUL - Turkey's Foreign Minister on Friday described an assault on U.S. sailors in Istanbul this week as reprehensible and vowed that the attackers would "pay the price for their actions." Members of the nationalist Turkish Youth Union attacked three U.S. sailors on a crowded street in Istanbul on Wednesday, shouting "Yankee go home," throwing paint and trying to pull hoods over their heads. Video footage was later posted on the group's website. Twelve people were detained but released by an Istanbul court on Thursday. However, they could still face charges for causing insult and injury.
"The relevant Turkish authorities are conducting a full investigation... We will take all necessary precautions to ensure that such isolated incidents do not occur again," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu said during a visit to Australia.
Cavusoglu offered his sympathies to the three sailors, who were not injured. "Through thick and thin, the people of Turkey welcome them and all their brothers and sisters in arms, into their homes and hearts as long-standing friends and partners," Cavusoglu added. The U.S. embassy condemned the attack.