A deadly terrorist attack on the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) near Ankara on Wednesday killed five people and injured 22 others, according to Turkish officials. The assailants, identified as a man and a woman, set off explosives and opened fire before being killed by security forces. The victims included four TUSAS employees and the taxi driver who transported the attackers.
The incident occurred in Kahramankazan, about 25 miles north of Ankara, and was swiftly condemned by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was attending talks in Russia at the time. Erdogan called the attack “heinous” and extended his condolences to the victims’ families. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and Defense Minister Yasar Guler pointed to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as the likely culprit behind the assault, although investigations to confirm the attackers’ identities are ongoing.
A Turkish Special Forces’ Helicopter landing near the Headquarters of the Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara during the ongoing Terrorist Attack. pic.twitter.com/3zJkUeSvtX
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 23, 2024
Videos verified by media outlets, including CNN, show the attackers carrying firearms and backpacks as they approached the TUSAS facility. After detonating an explosive near the facility’s entrance, gunfire erupted, and helicopters were seen hovering above the area as security forces intervened. Turkish officials imposed a media blackout shortly after the attack to prevent the spread of graphic images from the scene.
ATTACK IN TURKEY
Terrorists armed with assault rifles and explosives launched an attack on the Turkish Aerospace Industries HQ near Ankara, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries. Reports suggest hostages may be held at the site, and some sources indicate a possible… https://t.co/ViEnHfg4IK pic.twitter.com/pbxgQ30rLP
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) October 23, 2024
The PKK, which is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been involved in a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish government. The group has carried out numerous attacks in the country and has been a target of Turkish military operations in northern Iraq and Syria.
The attack on TUSAS came at a time of heightened defense activity in Turkey, coinciding with a major defense and aerospace trade fair in Istanbul. Turkey’s defense sector, including its renowned Bayraktar drones, is a major contributor to the country’s economy, accounting for a significant portion of export revenues.
International condemnation followed the attack, with leaders from NATO, the United States, France, Germany, and other nations expressing solidarity with Turkey. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences during his meeting with Erdogan, reaffirming the two countries’ cooperation in combating terrorism.
Turkish authorities continue their investigation into the attack, with efforts focused on confirming the attackers’ identities and potential links to the PKK or other militant groups.
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