by Andrew Arnett

The 12 people arrested by Turkish police for attacking three US sailors have been released without charges or questioning, according to AFP.

On November 12 2014, members of the Youth Union of Turkey attacked three US sailors in Istanbul, forcing bags over their heads while shouting slurs such as “Yankee go home,” and “Down with US imperialism.”

The incident was filmed by one of the attackers, then posted on the group’s website. A statement was then put out by the group saying “”Bags we put over the American soldiers are for the nations of Palestine to Syria.”

The three US sailors returned to their ship, the USS Ross, unharmed.

“We condemn that attack executed by what appear to be thugs on the street,” Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said on Wednesday.

“These attackers bring great discredit upon the Turks and the Turkish reputation for hospitality which is well-known.”

The Youth Union of Turkey (TGB) which perpetrated the attack, is considered to be a Turkish anarcho-communist organization with far-left political leanings and anti-American/Western sentiments.

Founded in 2006, the group’s beliefs include the need for removal of English classes from Turkish schools.

“As of right now this appears to be a one-off incident,” Warren said.

No new travel warnings have been issued for Turkey by the State Department.

In general, the security situation in Turkey remains good. Crime rates are relatively low. For example, the homicide rate in Turkey is 2.6 per 100,000 population, significantly lower than the United States which stands at 4.7.

However, the U.S. State Department warns that foreign visitors must be aware of petty street crimes that include pick pocketing, purse snatching and mugging.

Certain scams have been perpetrated upon tourists including the use of “date rape” drugs (Nembutal) on female travelers.

Lone male visitors have been subject to a con game where they are approached by an attractive female who invites him to a restaurant where they run up an exorbitant bill. The female flees when it’s time to pay the check. Apparently, these females work in conjunction with the owners of the restaurant, who intimidate the visitor into paying the outrageous sum.

Other Western nations, such as New Zealand and Australia, designate travel to Turkey at “Some Risk”, although parts of Turkey are considered “High Risk.” These areas include southeast Turkey bordering Iran and Iraq, as well as areas within 50 kilometers of the Syrian border.

The Australian government has warned that “Since mid-2013, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has made military gains in northern Syria. Turkey’s long and porous border with Syria potentially provides ISIL and other terrorists the opportunity to travel relatively easily between Iraq, Syria and Turkey. Spill-over from the Syrian conflict could lead to attacks against targets in Turkey, including Ankara, Istanbul or areas close to the Syrian border.”