Tragedy struck at the heart of Turkey as five individuals lost their lives, and 22 more suffered injuries during a shocking assault on the Turkish Aerospace Industries’ headquarters, reports the government. Eyewitnesses recounted hearing rapid gunfire followed by a deafening explosion in the vicinity of Ankara.
At a BRICS conference in Kazan, Russia, Turkish President Recep Erdoğan, standing alongside his counterpart Vladimir Putin, denounced the event as a “vile act of terrorism.”
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that three of the injured are in critical condition. He reported that two assailants, identified as a man and a woman, have been “neutralised.” The authorities are currently working to uncover their identities but are remaining tight-lipped on whether any accomplices remain on the loose.
The emergency response teams and law enforcement are stationed at the facility’s entrance, visibly reacting to the chaos.
Media outlets that had broadcast live updates from the scene suddenly ceased operations as Turkey’s media regulatory body imposed a blackout on coverage from the site. This quick move aimed to control the flow of information amidst the ongoing crisis.
As of now, the motivations and the individuals behind the attack have not been identified. No group has stepped forward to take responsibility, and prosecutors have initiated an investigation, as reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency.
Some reports speculated about the occurrence of a suicide bombing and hinted at hostages inside the building; however, officials have yet to verify these assertions.
In a chilling statement, Interior Minister Yerlikaya noted, “A terrorist attack occurred against the TUSAS facilities located in Kahramankazan, Ankara. Regrettably, we have experienced martyrs and individuals who are injured,” he shared through social media.
Witnesses during the incident related to Reuters how employees were escorted by authorities into makeshift shelters, preventing anyone from exiting for several hours. They described the sound of explosions that may have erupted at multiple exits as employees were departing for the evening.
Visuals broadcasted depicted a damaged entrance gate and the frantic exchange of gunfire in a parking area. Attackers were seen wielding assault rifles and carrying bags as they infiltrated the premises.
In the aftermath, ambulances and helicopters rushed to the scene, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The incident drew condemnation from various officials, including Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu and opposition leader Özgur Özel, the head of the CHP. “I vehemently denounce this terrorist attack on the TAI facilities in Kahramankazan… Terrorism is abominable, regardless of its source,” Mr. Özel expressed on X.
TUSAS represents one of Turkey’s most pivotal defense and aerospace enterprises, heralding projects like KAAN, the nation’s inaugural combat aircraft, and employing over 10,000 personnel.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte voiced his support, stating, “The reports emerging from Ankara, concerning fatalities and injuries, are incredibly distressing. NATO stands firmly with our ally Turkey.” He emphasized that the military alliance vehemently opposes terrorism in all its manifestations, closely monitoring the evolving situation.
“I just had a discussion with @RTErdogan regarding the terror attack in #Ankara. My message remains unequivocal: #NATO stands with #Türkiye,” Rutte conveyed on his social media platform.
President Erdoğan was engaged in conversations with Mr. Putin during the BRICS summit when the attack unfolded. “I would like to express my deepest condolences in response to the terrorist act,” Mr. Putin remarked at the outset of their encounter.
This latest assault resurrects memories of a previous attack in January when gunmen opened fire inside a Catholic church in Istanbul, resulting in one fatality. That incident was subsequently claimed by jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State. Additionally, in October 2023, an attack in Ankara’s governmental district injured two police officers, where one assailant was shot dead, while another detonated an explosive device outside the Interior Ministry—a confrontation associated with the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), which has been engaged in a protracted struggle against the Turkish state since 1984, claiming countless lives along the way.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
