ANKARA

The military launched an investigation Sunday into a video that shows soldiers beating Syrians caught illegally entering the country, according to an army statement. 

The soldiers were detained for "unacceptable behavior" and a legal process has begun, according to the statement by the Turkish General Staff on its website.

The video on social media shows a border guard recording soldiers beating a group of Syrians who were detained Friday for illegally crossing into Turkey and then deported. 

The video was seen in Germany, according to Turkish authorities who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

A grand jury investigating the matter, confirmed the video was sent by a border guard to Germany via the WhatsApp messaging service, authorities said

The video was described as "meaningful" and a "conscious act made in order to cause trouble and weaken Turkey and Turkish Armed Forces", according to authorities.