Turkey has summoned the US ambassador to protest 'aggressive' action against Turkish bodyguards in Washington, DC.

Bodyguards for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan were involved in a brawl last week when the president visited the White House. Nine people were injured and two were arrested in the flare-up between bodyguards and anti-Erdoğan protestors.

Many in Washington called for strong, swift action against the bodyguards in the wake of the brawl. The State Department said they were "communicating our concern to the Turkish government in the strongest possible terms", and that the actions of Turkish security personnel during the incident was "deeply disturbing".

The Turkish Foreign Ministry now says the US ambassador has been given a "written and verbal protest" over the US's handling of the situation. The country is calling for a "a full investigation of this diplomatic incident".

Peaceful protests outside the Turkish embassy during Mr Erdoğan's visit erupted when demonstrators arrived carrying the flag of the Kurdish Democratic Union party. The US is seeking to arm the group in Syria. The Turkish government considers them a terrorist organisation.

The diplomatic response to the brawl devolved into accusations on either side, with prominent US officials claiming the bodyguards had acted inappropriately, and the Turkish government claiming they had been provoked.

"The violence and injuries were the result of this unpermitted, provocative demonstration," the Turkish embassy said in a statement. "We hope that, in the future, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that similar provocative actions causing harm and violence do not occur."

In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People demonstrate in front of the Republic Monument at the Taksim Square in Istanbul Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters

Former US ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, however, tweeted that "clearly Erdoğan's guards feel complete impunity, drawing on tools of repression they use at home & knowing he has their back, no matter what."

The Metropolitan Police Department has said they have "every intention" of pursuing charges against all parties involved.

Mr Erdoğan's recent visit to the White House was his first in years, after US-Turkey relations declined significantly under former President Barack Obama. The Turkish leader is seen by many to be taking an increasingly authoritarian hold on his country.