The State Department said Wednesday that it is "concerned" by footage that shows Turkish security personnel physically clashing with individuals protesting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Embassy Row in Washington, D.C.

In a statement, the State Department said it is "concerned by the violent incidents involving protestors and Turkish security personnel Tuesday evening."

"Violence is never an appropriate response to free speech, and we support the rights of people everywhere to free expression and peaceful protest," the statement continued.

"We are communicating our concern to the Turkish government in the strongest possible terms."

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On Tuesday, news reports showed Turkish security agents in black suits charging protesters on the sidewalk outside Turkey's embassy and assaulting demonstrators.

Police in Washington say they arrested two members of the Turkish Embassy "following yesterday’s incidents and we have every intention to pursue charges against the other individuals involved."

NBC News confirmed that the men in suits were bodyguards for Erdogan.

About two dozen protesters in total attended the demonstration, and nine people were taken to the hospital for injuries. One was in serious condition.

"We will continue to work with our partners at the United States State Department and United States Secret Service to identify and hold all subjects accountable for their involvement in the altercation,” police said Wednesday.