A deadly explosion and gunfire rocked the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) near Ankara on Wednesday, resulting in five deaths and injuring 22 others. Authorities are treating the incident as a terrorist attack, with two suspects reportedly “neutralized” by police. The incident has raised security concerns as Turkey’s government continues to battle insurgency threats.
The attack unfolded around 4 p.m. local time at Tusaş, one of Turkey’s leading defense firms, located in Kahramankazan, a town about 25 miles north of Ankara. Witnesses reported a massive blast followed by gunfire, which caused chaos and panic near the facility. According to local reports, the assailants arrived in a taxi during a shift change and managed to infiltrate the area before one of them detonated a bomb.
Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that five people had died and 22 others were wounded, with three of the injured in critical condition. Authorities quickly secured the site, and the government has since imposed a media blackout on live broadcasts from the scene.
According to the interior minister, two attackers—a man and a woman—were “neutralized” by law enforcement. While their identities have not yet been confirmed, investigations are ongoing to determine if any other suspects were involved or remain at large. Media reports suggested a possible hostage situation had occurred during the attack, but authorities have not provided further clarification.
The incident bears the hallmarks of previous attacks by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group that has waged an insurgency against the Turkish government for decades. Although no group has claimed responsibility, Turkey’s Defense Minister Yaşar Güler pointed fingers at the PKK, vowing to retaliate against those responsible. “We will pursue them until the last terrorist is eliminated,” Güler said. Turkish warplanes were reported to have conducted strikes on PKK positions in Northern Iraq and Syria later on Wednesday.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was attending a BRICS summit in Russia at the time of the attack. Upon hearing the news, Erdoğan condemned the incident, calling it a “heinous terrorist attack.” Expressing his condolences, he stated, “I wish mercy on our martyrs.” Russian President Vladimir Putin, who met with Erdoğan in Kazan, also extended his condolences over the attack.
The timing of the incident has sparked speculation, as it came just a day after a senior Turkish politician raised the possibility of the PKK’s imprisoned leader being granted parole if the group renounced violence. It also coincided with an important trade fair for the defense and aerospace sector in Istanbul, attended by Ukraine’s foreign minister.
The attack occurred at Tusaş, a prominent defense and aviation firm that produces critical military equipment, including Turkey’s first national combat aircraft, Kaan. Turkey’s defense sector has become an integral part of the national economy, with exports generating substantial revenue, making it a target for those seeking to disrupt national security.
Local television footage showed damaged infrastructure around the complex, including a burnt gate and damaged vehicles. Employees were reportedly directed to safety shelters as the incident unfolded. Authorities have urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information and to respect the government’s media blackout.
The Turkish government has stepped up security measures across key strategic locations following the attack. In Ankara, authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, reviewing surveillance footage, and interviewing witnesses to determine how the assailants managed to attack existing security protocols.
While the motive remains unclear, the attack has reignited discussions about the security challenges facing Turkey. The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union, has been involved in an armed conflict with the Turkish state since the mid-1980s, leading to tens of thousands of deaths. Turkish forces have been carrying out military operations against PKK-affiliated groups in Northern Iraq and Syria for years as part of a broader strategy to curb insurgent activities.
The attack on Tusaş represents a serious security breach and highlights ongoing threats from militant groups in Turkey. As authorities continue to investigate, the nation remains on high alert, with the government vowing swift retaliation against those responsible. The incident underscores the need for vigilance and robust security protocols, particularly at facilities critical to national defense.