US resolution over Washington brawl is against spirit of alliance: Turkish Foreign Ministry

ANKARA

The Foreign Ministry has said a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 6 condemning a street brawl between protesters and Turkish security personnel outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Washington is “against the spirit of alliance” between Turkey and the U.S. 

“The steps taken by the U.S. legislative branches to distort and politicize the matter are not constructive. This is also against the spirit of alliance and partnership between Turkey and the U.S.,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Hüseyin Müftüoğlu said in a written statement on June 7. 

The resolution was previously voted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. A similar resolution was introduced in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week.

The brawl during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to meet U.S. President Donald Trump caused a diplomatic dispute between the two NATO allies.

At least 11 people were injured in the clashes, including two who had to go to hospital for treatment.

Turkey blamed the violence on demonstrators linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), but Washington’s police chief described the incident as a “brutal attack” on peaceful protesters.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement that the conduct of Turkish security personnel during the incident was “deeply disturbing,” while the Turkish government summoned the U.S. ambassador in Ankara to discuss the “violent incidents.” 

The Turkish Foreign Ministry on May 22 also summoned U.S. Ambassador to Turkey John Bass over the brawl to deliver a verbal and written protest.