Seven German soldiers were attacked Tuesday in the southern Turkish province of Hatay by a group of activists who oppose the deployment of Patriot missile system in the country, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.The seven German soldiers are in Iskenderun town of Hatay as part of the NATO mission for deploying the missile system on the Turkish-Syrian border.
The soldiers were besieged on their way to a bazaar in the center of Iskenderun by 26 activists from the Turkey Youth Union ( TGB), who tried to throw sacks on their heads, said the report.
The soldiers escaped from the attackers with the help of local people and were not hurt, said the report, adding that they took shelter in a jewelry shop.
After police arrived at the scene, the soldiers were taken to their hotel by security forces.
The group of activists continued their protest and chanted various slogans.
"We will not allow Turkey to be the center for attacks in the Middle East. We will not allow American and NATO soldiers to travel freely in this country," the head of the group said.
"Whether it was German or American soldiers whose heads we put sacks on, it does not matter. All of them are NATO soldiers," he said.
After a brief scuffle with the group, Turkish riot police detained the 15 activists, including TGB leader Ilker Yucel.