‘Yankee, Go Home’! What Lies Beneath The Growing Anti-American Sentiments In Turkey?

Earlier this month, a video went viral, capturing a small crowd in Türkiye assaulting two U.S. Marines while chanting, “Yankee, go home!” But what’s the story behind this slogan, and what lies beneath this alarming display of hostility? 

The incident took place in Izmir last Monday. According to a statement from the US Sixth Fleet, the Marines, part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Wasp, were enjoying their shore leave when chaos erupted.

Video footage shows the crowd, emboldened by numbers, managed to restrain the soldiers and even place a bag over one’s head. As one Marine desperately called for help, fellow service members rushed to their aid, narrowly averting a potential disaster. Though the Marines were evaluated at a local hospital, no injuries were reported, and they soon returned to their ship.

Turkish authorities swiftly responded, arresting 15 suspects linked to the Turkish Youth Union, a group affiliated with the nationalist and anti-American Patriotic Party with strong anti-American, anti-Atlanticist, and Eurasianist leanings.

The USS Wasp had docked in Izmir just a day earlier after participating in joint military exercises. According to the U.S. Navy, “the 24th MEU is on a routine deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area, ready to support U.S., Allied, and partner interests in the region, including the Eastern Mediterranean, and poised to deter aggression.”

Meanwhile, the Turkish Communist Party (TKP) also protested the USS Wasp’s presence in Izmir, condemning the ship for its role in conflicts like the one in Palestine. The TKP declared, “We do not want the US ship that brought war and death to Palestine in Izmir.”

“Yankee, Go Home!”

This rallying cry isn’t new. The phrase “Yankee, go home!” has a long history of being used as an anti-American and anti-imperialist slogan. It is a powerful expression often used by those who feel oppressed or threatened by U.S. military presence.

This slogan traces its origins back to Cold War-era East Germany. On May 28, 1950, East German youths carried a banner bearing this message during a march in Berlin. The banner depicted a Soviet officer rejecting the Marshall Plan from an American, symbolizing the broader resistance to U.S. influence.

Originally began as Communist propaganda, the slogan has since been adopted globally by those opposing U.S. military presence in their countries.

In Türkiye, this sentiment concerns not only the physical presence of U.S. forces but also broader concerns about American influence and foreign policy in the region.

Tracing The Roots Of Anti-Americanism In Türkiye

While the Cyprus Crisis of 1964 is often cited as the starting point for anti-American sentiment in Türkiye, the seeds of discontent were sown much earlier, during the so-called “golden years” of Turkish-American relations between 1945 and 1960.

During this period, many in Türkiye criticized the government for what they saw as excessive political and economic concessions to the U.S., likening them to the humiliating capitulations of the Ottoman era.

Critics argued that Türkiye had not become an equal partner but had instead been reduced to a U.S. colony, with its internal and external affairs increasingly dictated by American interests.

Accusations of cultural imperialism further fueled resentment, as many believed American influence was eroding Turkish values and traditions.

The relationship between Türkiye and the United States has been a rollercoaster ride. Post-9/11, Washington hailed Türkiye as a “model” for the Islamic world. But this rosy view quickly soured, especially in the wake of the 2003 Iraq War.

Even though the anti-American sentiment flared up in the aftermath of the 2003 Iraq War, it was the resurgence of deep-seated frustrations that had been simmering for decades.

The Syrian Civil War drove an even deeper wedge between the two nations. In 2018, Ibrahim Karagul, editor-in-chief of the pro-government newspaper Yeni Şafak, wrote in his editorial column, “U.S. is now the closest, greatest and most open threat for Turkey. It is an enemy country. It is a serious threat to our country’s existence, its unity, integrity, present and the future”.

During this tumultuous period, Turkey’s military operations targeted both ISIS and Kurdish groups supported by the U.S., underscoring the deepening rift between the two allies. In terms of foreign policy, Turkey’s military actions in Syria have further strained its relationship with Washington.

US support for the Syrian Kurds has exacerbated tensions, contributing to a diplomatic rift that US policymakers struggled to predict. The decision by Ankara to acquire the Russian S-400 missile system—a move closely linked to the Syrian crisis—reflects a strategic realignment with Moscow. This shift has enabled both countries to advance their interests: Russia in preserving Bashar al-Assad’s regime and Turkey in weakening the Syrian Kurds.

Domestically, the Syrian conflict provided Ankara with a pretext to suppress Kurdish rights within Turkey and push for significant constitutional changes in 2017.

Anti-US Sentiment in Turkey Hits New Heights

A 2019 survey by Istanbul’s Kadir Has University revealed a striking surge in anti-US sentiment among the Turkish public. According to the survey, a staggering 81.9% of Turks view the United States as a threat.

Israel-Gaza War Strains US-Turkey Relations

Just as Turkish-Israeli relations were thawing after a decade-long chill, the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel threw everything into disarray.

President Erdoğan’s refusal to condemn Hamas and his assertion that “Hamas is not a terrorist organization, but a liberation movement” derailed this fragile reconciliation.

Further tensions escalated after Erdoğan accused Israel of “war crimes” and “genocide” while criticizing the West for its unwavering support of Israel.

Turkey’s overt support for Hamas has side-lined it from diplomatic efforts and further soured its ties with Israel and Washington. Once a cornerstone of U.S. policy in the Middle East, Turkish-U.S. relations have been marred by mutual grievances for nearly a decade.

From Turkey’s objections to U.S. support for Syrian Kurds to Washington’s criticism of Ankara’s human rights record and its growing ties with Russia, the relationship has deteriorated. In Washington, Turkey is increasingly seen as an “unfaithful ally,.”

A Complex Web Of Perceptions

The rise of anti-American sentiment in Türkiye is a multifaceted issue rooted in historical grievances, policy disagreements, and cultural anxieties. From the streets of Izmir to the halls of power in Ankara, the once-strong alliance between Türkiye and the United States finds itself at a critical juncture.

Interestingly, despite the rising anti-American sentiment, many Turks still support NATO membership. This puzzling dichotomy highlights the complex and evolving perceptions of the United States in Turkish society. The incident in Izmir serves as a stark reminder of the tensions simmering beneath the surface.

• Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for E.T. Prime. In this capacity, she focused on covering defense strategies and the defense sector from a financial perspective. She offers over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
• Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail.com