Turkey slams US over ‘aggressive’ acts against Erdogan’s guards

ISTANBUL: Turkey’s Foreign Ministry has lodged a formal protest with the US ambassador over “aggressive” actions by American security personnel during a visit to Washington DC 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 US. Footage of the brawl on social media, prompted outrage in the US, along with calls for the prosecution of the Turkish guards and even the expulsion of Turkey’s ambassador to Washington.

US and Turkish officials have given directly contrasting versions. Local police said the Turkish guards savagely attacked a peaceful protest outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence as Erdogan was visiting. Footage of the mêlée 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 outside. His critics said the bloody altercation – and a similar flash of violence during his visit to Washington last year – was indicative of his government’s iron-fisted approach to protests and dissent at home. But Turkish diplomats said local police failed to quell a “provocative” demonstration.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry criticised “the inability of US authorities to take sufficient precautions”. It demanded the US conduct a “full investigation… and provide the necessary explanation”.

The ministry also blamed “US security personnel” for “aggressive and unprofessional” actions against the Turk’s protective detail.