Jake Jones
The EU Cools On Turkey After Referendum
European Union leaders are worried Turkey's constitutional referendum could create an authoritarian regime.
LEARN MOREPosted: 8:49 p.m. EDT May 22, 2017
A brawl outside the Turkish Embassy has led to a diplomatic scuffle between Turkey and the U.S.
Turkey's government summoned the U.S. ambassador to complain about the "aggressive and unprofessional" actions of U.S. law enforcement during the fight. It's calling for a full investigation.
The fight involved protesters and supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was visiting the embassy. A Turkish news agency put out video claiming a protester instigated the brawl by pelting a Turkish official with a water bottle.
The accompanying article, written by a reporter at the scene, claims the protesters "made a great effort to make Turkish citizens lose control through their insults and swearing." He goes on to say that protesters throwing water bottles triggered the fistfight.
Video from the U.S. government-funded Voice of America shows that water bottle was thrown after the fight already started. The outlet also released footage of what appears to be a Turkish security guard charging peaceful demonstrators.
Turkey and the U.S. are currently at odds over the White House's recent decision to arm a Kurdish rebel group in Syria. The U.S. considers the group an ally in the fight against ISIS; Turkey thinks it's a terrorist group.
Erdogan himself, who watched the fight unfold from a distance, has become a more controversial figure recently. He's orchestrated a sweeping crackdown against political opponents and consolidated power for himself.
