A general view of the entrance to Turkey's aviation company, TUSAS, near Kahramankazan, Ankara. The scene shows the aftermath of an attack, with visible damage to the entrance gate. Security personnel and emergency vehicles, including ambulances and police cars, are present. The modern industrial complex is surrounded by office buildings and greenery, while a somber atmosphere hangs over the area as authorities work to secure the site.
Attack on Turkish state aviation site in Ankara leaves five dead, 22 wounded; Interior Minister confirms attackers neutralized, investigation underway.
By Currentpoint.news | October 23, 2024
Ankara, October 23, 2024 — In a tragic terrorist attack targeting the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) headquarters near Ankara, five people were killed and 22 others wounded, with three of the injured in critical condition, according to Turkish authorities. The incident took place on Wednesday at the state-owned aviation site, a cornerstone of Turkey’s defense and aerospace sector.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that two attackers were neutralized by security forces. “Two terrorists were neutralized in the terror attack on the TUSAS Ankara Kahramankazan site. Sadly, we have 5 martyrs and 22 wounded in the attack,” Yerlikaya stated, calling it a deliberate and coordinated assault on a strategic national asset. The identities of the attackers remain unknown, and no group has claimed responsibility for the assault.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunfire and a loud explosion near the TUSAS facility, which is located in the Kahramankazan district, just outside Ankara. The attack occurred as employees were leaving work for the day. Some witnesses said the explosions might have occurred near different exits of the building. Initial reports suggest the attackers were armed with assault rifles and carried backpacks, possibly containing explosives, as they stormed the site.
Television broadcasters aired shocking footage of the attackers engaging in a gun battle with security forces in a parking lot, showing images of a heavily damaged gate at the facility. Emergency response units, including ambulances and helicopters, arrived quickly on the scene to assist the wounded and secure the area. Media outlets have speculated that a suicide attack may have been involved, with some reports suggesting hostages were taken, but officials have not confirmed these claims.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was attending the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, immediately condemned the attack. Erdogan vowed to bring those responsible to justice and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also condemned the attack, reaffirming NATO’s solidarity with its ally, Turkey. “NATO stands with Turkey in these challenging times. We will continue to support our partner in the fight against terrorism,” Rutte said in a statement. The European Union delegation in Turkey echoed similar sentiments, denouncing the attack as a “cowardly act of violence.”
In a powerful show of support, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both issued statements condemning the attack. “Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the Turkish people in this difficult time,” President Zardari said, extending condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a swift recovery to those injured.
Zardari emphasized the global nature of terrorism and the need for international cooperation to eradicate it. “Terrorism is a global menace, and Pakistan, having endured similar attacks, understands the pain caused by such brutal acts. Terrorists are enemies of peace and humanity, and it is imperative that the world unites to combat this scourge,” he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his condolences. “My heartfelt condolences go out to my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the people of Turkey. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with our Turkish brothers,” he posted.
Prosecutors have launched a full-scale investigation into the attack, the motive for which remains unclear. Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency reported that investigators are examining whether the assault was part of a larger terror plot, possibly targeting Turkey’s defense industry. No group has yet come forward to claim responsibility for the attack, leaving many questions about the attackers’ affiliations and intentions.
TUSAS, Turkey’s largest aerospace manufacturer, plays a critical role in the country’s defense sector. The company is involved in the production of military training aircraft, helicopters, and civilian aviation technologies, and it is currently developing Turkey’s first indigenous fighter jet, KAAN. As a key player in Turkey’s ambitious military modernization program, TUSAS has been seen as a prime target for terrorists looking to disrupt the nation’s defense capabilities.
Owned by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, TUSAS employs over 10,000 people and is considered a vital component of Turkey’s efforts to strengthen its military-industrial complex.
As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives and prays for the recovery of the injured, the Turkish government has vowed to step up security at critical infrastructure sites and continue its fight against terrorism.
FOUNDER
More Stories
Justice Yahya Afridi Appointed as Pakistan’s 30th Chief Justice
Top Indian Wrestlers Criticize BJP for Fielding Son of Former Federation Chief Accused of Sexual Harassment
Are countries in Latin America becoming more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause?