Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan listens to President Donald Trump during their meeting at the White House on Tuesday. On Monday, Turkey's foreign ministry recalled its U.S. ambassador over security clashes that occurred on Erdogan's visit. Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI | License Photo

May 22 (UPI) -- The Turkish government on Monday recalled its ambassador to the United States in the latest move motivated by security clashes that occurred on President Recep Erdogan's visit to Washington last week.

Turkey's foreign ministry summoned diplomat H.E Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu to Ankara over what it called "aggressive" and "unprofessional" tactics by U.S. security personnel.


The controversy started Tuesday when Turkish security guards accompanying Erdogan on his visit got physical with demonstrators outside Turkey's embassy in Washington. Erdogan witnessed the fighting.

"A written and verbal protest was delivered due to the aggressive and unprofessional actions taken, contrary to diplomatic rules and practices, by U.S. security personnel," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Ankara's concerns stem from the actions of Washington, D.C., metro police, who used batons to break up the scuffles. Bystanders recorded the clashes and posted the videos online.

"It has been formally requested that the U.S. authorities conduct a full investigation of this diplomatic incident and provide the necessary explanation," the government statement continued.

The Turkish government was heavily critical of U.S. security during Erdogan's visit, which included a stop at the White House to meet with President Donald Trump -- a visit officials said was highly productive.

"The lapses of security experienced during our president's stay in Washington, which were caused by the inability of U.S. authorities to take sufficient precautions at every stage of the official program, will not overshadow what in every other aspect was a very successful and important visit."

U.S.-Turkey relations have been rocky in recent weeks largely due to Trump's decision to arm Kurdish rebel YPG fighters in Syria -- a decision Erdogan was swift to denounce.