Video shows Turkish mob attacking US Navy sailors

A shocking video appears to show radical Turkish nationalists roughing up a trio of U.S. Navy servicemen in Istanbul on Wednesday, pulling bags over their heads and shouting, 'Yankees go home!'

In the video, which was quickly posted on YouTube, a group of roughly 20 men carrying a banner with Turkish founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's face on it pelt the sailors with garbage and paint before surrounding them and pulling bags over their heads.

'Because we define you as murderers, as killers, we want you to get out of our land,' one of the assailants is heard saying. 'Damn America!'

'Damn America!'

- One of 20 Turkish attackers assailing three Navy sailors

The sailors were not injured and were safely back aboard the guided missile destroyer the USS Ross, Capt. Greg Hicks, a spokesman at European Command, told Fox News. The ship had been docked in Turkey following a NATO drill in the Black Sea, according to U.S. officials.

Hicks described the attackers as being part of a 'Turkish nationalist group.' A statement from the Navy said the attackers claimed to be from the Turkish Youth Union, which reports said characterized as a leftist, ultra-nationalist group that opposes Turkish membership in NATO. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara condemned the 'appalling' attack, which took place in the historic Eminonu neighborhood of Istanbul.

'We have no doubt the vast majority of Turks would join us in rejecting an action that so disrespects Turkey's reputation for hospitality,' the embassy said in a tweet.

The video, posted by Turkish news outlets, shows the three sailors running from the mob.

Anger against the U.S. has risen in Turkey following U.S. airstrikes in support of Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State radicals in the northern Syrian city of Kobani near the Turkish border.

The Kurdish fighters in Kobani are linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, a Turkish guerilla group that is hated by many inside Turkey.

In a statement, the U.S. Navy said it is investigating the incident with the help of Turkish authorities.

'The U.S. Navy is currently working with the Turkish National Police and U.S. Embassy staff to investigate this incident,' the statement said. 'The U.S. Navy will continue to coordinate with Turkish authorities to review security procedures for future ship visits.

'We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Turkey for many years,' it continued. 'As NATO allies, we share common interests, and this incident will not diminish that strong relationship. Turkish ports have long been very popular destinations for U.S. Navy ships, and our Sailors have enjoyed the warm hospitality that has traditionally been extended.'

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