There was a terrorist attack on the premises of the Turkish Aerospace Industries in the Turkish capital on Wednesday evening. 5 people were killed and over 20 were injured.
The premises of the Turkish Aerospace Industries defense company were attacked on Wednesday.
An attack took place in Ankara on Wednesday evening. Explosions and gunfire were heard at the premises of the defense company Turkish Aerospace Industries (Tusas) in the Kahramankazan district in the evening, Turkish news agency Anadolu reported. According to the Turkish government, five people were killed and at least 22 were injured.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the incident on Platform X as a “cowardly attack” on a driving force in Turkey’s defense industry. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya spoke about a terrorist attack. Two terrorists were “neutralized”. Yerlikaya said the attack removed the hallmarks of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), but gave no further details. No one has been identified yet. Turkey responded with airstrikes on PKK positions in Syria and Iraq.
The cause of the explosion and subsequent shooting was initially unclear. Several media reports spoke of a suicide attack. Broadcaster NTV reported on a hostage situation. Security forces, firefighters and medical teams rushed to the scene. As Anadolu reports, company employees were first brought to safety in tanks. The area was cordoned off. The Turkish broadcasting authority RTÜK imposed a news blackout on the matter, Access to social networks was restricted.
The Ministry of Justice opens an investigation
Footage purporting to show the explosions has been shared on social networks. Turkish media also showed images showing at least three armed men. State-affiliated broadcaster DHA reported that three attackers arrived in a taxi. Television channels showed images of a damaged gate and footage of a shootout in a parking lot and attackers with assault rifles and backpacks entering a building. Ambulances and helicopters later arrived.
Various media outlets showed images showing armed people.
At first there was no information about the background of the crime. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said an investigation had been launched. In Turkey, the terrorist militias of the Islamic State (IS) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have carried out attacks in the past, including in the capital Ankara. All major Turkish social media profiles are speculating that PKK fighters may have carried out the latest attack. Also because there is a woman among the alleged crime.
Erdogan’s ultra-nationalist ally Devlet Bahceli said in the Turkish parliament on Tuesday that PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan could be released if he freed the PKK. There may be opposition to this within the PKK; the action would destroy any new peace talks between the Turkish government and the PKK.
Türkiye announces more air strikes
After the attack, Turkey carried out airstrikes in northern Syria and northern Iraq, where the PKK is headquartered. Turkey’s Defense Ministry said 32 targets had been destroyed, according to the state news agency Anadolu. The Turkish military has announced more airstrikes.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte condemned the attack. They stand on the side of the NATO member Türkiye.
Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara produces civil and military aircraft and components.
The defense industry is highly respected in Turkey. The country has emerged as a major seller of defense equipment over the past two decades, benefiting from increased global demand. President Erdogan is specifically promoting the domestic arms industry and is committed to independence in terms of arms policy.
Turkish Aerospace Industries (Tusas) is a technology center that produces spare parts for the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380. It is a developer and producer of aerospace systems such as fighter jets and drones. This includes the Airbus A400 MI military transport aircraft among other things, Tusas helped develop the prototypes of the Turkish Kaan fighter aircraft.
According to Turkish analysts, Turkey is using Tusas drones in the fight against the PKK and the IS terrorist militia.