A US Navy amphibious assault ship deployed to the Mediterranean Sea to deter potential threats against Israel docked at Turkey’s Port of İzmir on Sunday for a five-day visit, sparking protests.
The USS Wasp, one of the US Navy’s most formidable amphibious assault ships, arrived at İzmir Port on Sunday for a scheduled visit following its deployment in the eastern Mediterranean. The ship has been operating in the region as part of US efforts to deter potential threats against Israel, particularly from Hezbollah and other militant groups.
The USS Wasp’s visit to Turkey follows its participation in joint naval exercises with the Turkish Navy from August 13-17, during which it conducted various training operations alongside Turkey’s TCG Anadolu, the country’s first amphibious assault ship, and the frigate TCG Gökova. These exercises, which included air defense drills and cross-deck operations, highlighted the close military collaboration between the US and Turkey, both NATO allies.
This port visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, where the US has increased its naval presence to ensure regional stability and to support Israel against possible threats. The USS Wasp, along with its accompanying ships, the USS Oak Hill and the USS New York, has been positioned in the region since June as part of these deterrence efforts.
While the visit underscores the strong defense ties between the US and Turkey, it has also sparked controversy. The USS Wasp’s earlier docking in Cyprus and its mission to protect Israel have drawn criticism from several Turkish political groups. In İzmir, members of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB) protested the ship’s arrival by putting a sack over the head of one of two US Marines accosted by the group, recalling a 2003 incident involving Turkish soldiers in Iraq. Both Marines were later treated for minor injuries.
Despite the protests, the USS Wasp’s visit is proceeding as planned, with crew members scheduled to participate in cultural tours around İzmir, including visits to historic sites such as Ephesus. The ship will remain in İzmir until September 5.
The US has been providing Israel with weapons since the start of the conflict and is accused by critics of exacerbating the death toll and destruction in Gaza, where at least 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed so far by Israel, according to the Gaza health ministry. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza began on October 7 following an unprecedented attack by Hamas and has led to significant casualties and devastation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who refuses to recognize Hamas as a terrorist group unlike his country’s Western allies, accuses Israel of committing a “genocide” and “war crimes” in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified scrutiny of Turkey’s trade practices with Israel. President Erdoğan’s government recently restricted exports to Israel, but revelations of continued trade have sparked criticism and raised questions about Turkey’s support for Israel.
Turkey in August formally submitted a petition to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.
