Turkish youths have rallied in the southwestern town of Bodrum to protest against the presence of American soldiers in their country and Ankara’s pro-US stance, reports.
The protest came after American destroyer USS The Sullivans docked at Bodrum Port late on Sunday and more than 100 US soldiers left the ship to tour the town.
The US soldiers were escorted by about 350 Turkish policemen.
At least six people were injured after police clashed with anti-US protesters as they tried to approach the US soldiers. Police also arrested 11 protesters.
Police also attacked journalists trying to cover the incident and did not allow them to report about the protest.
Turkish protesters have accused the government of protecting US soldiers instead of its own people. Protesters said they do not want to see any US warships docking in Bodrum.
According to Turkish sources, USS The Sullivans, part of the US Navy's Atlantic fleet, will leave Bodrum on Tuesday.
/129
5 March 2012 - 17:24
News ID: 300759
Turkish police detained 11 people in the southwestern resort town of Bodrum late on Sunday after they accosted a group of US Navy sailors on shore leave from American destroyer USS The Sullivans.
