An order to attack was spoken as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s security detail broke through a police line and attacked protesters Tuesday in the nation’s capital.

Three Turkish language experts who work at American universities agree on a translation of words heard as men in suits began their charge toward Erdogan opponents, who were punched and kicked before police re-established order.

The words can be heard faintly in footage released Tuesday by Voice of America. A sound engineer, Salih Ferad, enhanced them in video provided to The Daily Caller, which posted an article Thursday evening describing their meaning.

The words “gel gel gel” mean “come, come, come,” The Daily Caller reported, and “dalın diyor dalın diyor dalın diyor” means “he says attack.”

Ferad says the words "dalin diyor" also can be heard in footage released Thursday by VOA that shows Erdogan watching the attack.

“I do agree with the translation,” says Kemal Silay, director of Indiana University’s Turkish studies program and an Erdogan opponent. “Someone gives the order to attack the peaceful protesters.”

Video: Voice of America footage of the attack:



It's not easily apparent who the speakers are from the clips.

Just before the attack, Erdogan -- sitting in the back seat of a car in the driveway of the Turkish ambassador’s home -- appeared to speak to an aide, who communicated to another man who moved quickly toward the protest seconds before the attack, leading to speculation that Erdogan ordered the violence.

Erdogan met with President Donald Trump at the White House earlier in the day.

Birol Yesilada, contemporary Turkish studies endowed chair at Portland State University, says he also agrees with the translation, though he says he can only hear the words in the close-up shot of the attack, not in the video showing Erdogan’s whereabouts at the time.

Video: Ferad's enhanced audio, published by The Daily Caller:



A third Turkish professor who works at a prominent American university adds in an email that “dalın does not literally mean ‘attack’ (it means ‘dive in’ as into a body of water, a brawl, a mosh pit),” but that “it would most certainly be equivalent to a go-ahead for physical engagement with the protesters - like ‘Get in there!’”

“Grammatically, it is the imperative form, so a command,” the professor says. “As is ‘gel’ which means ‘come’ - to make sense, this would have to be spoken by someone headed into the fray.”

The third professor requested anonymity, citing concern about consequences from Erdogan supporters.

“Things are that tense,” they said.

Video: Voice of America footage of Erdogan during the attack:



Many political opponents of the Turkish leader have been jailed as part of a recent crackdown and his security detail is notorious for their use of violence, including against protesters and journalists outside a Brookings Institution event last year in Washington, D.C.

The Turkish foreign ministry has not responded to a request for comment about whether Erdogan ordered the attack on protesters.

“Of course it’s not accurate” to claim he ordered the attack, a Turkish embassy employee told U.S. News on Friday, but the embassy has not provided an official statement.

Two people were arrested in the immediate aftermath and face assault charges. Two members of Erdogan’s security detail also were briefly detained and released. Although several international law experts told U.S. News traveling security aides may not have diplomatic immunity, CNN reports they were able to return to Turkey.