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On 23 October 2024, a gun and bomb attack struck the headquarters of Turkey's state aviation company, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) in Kahramankazan, Ankara Province, leaving several people dead.[2] At least four people were killed,[3] including two assailants, while 14 others were injured.[4]
| 2024 Turkish Aerospace Industries headquarters attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of Terrorism in Turkey | |
 | |
| Location | Kahramankazan, Ankara Province, Turkey |
| Coordinates | 40°04′44″N 32°35′01″E / 40.078979°N 32.583599°E |
| Date | 23 October 2024 16:00 TRT |
| Target | Turkish Aerospace Industries headquarters |
Attack type | Suicide bombing, shooting, hostage-taking |
| Weapons | Assault rifles, explosives |
| Deaths | 4 (including 2 perpetrators) |
| Injured | 14 |
| Perpetrator |  PKK (claimed by Habertürk)[1] |
No. of participants | 2 |
| Motive | Unknown |
Background
editTUSAŞ is one of Turkey’s major companies specialising in defence and aviation companies. Its projects include the TAI TF Kaan, Turkey's first domestically produced combat aircraft. The incident happened as a major trade fair for the defence and aerospace industries was being held in Istanbul.[2]
At the time of the attack, a weapons exhibition was taking place in Istanbul, which received a visit from Ukrainian foreign minster Andrii Sybiha.[5][6]
Attack
editThe attack was made at around 16:00 TRT[3] on the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries in Kahramankazan, 40 kilometers outside Ankara,[2] and coincided with a shift change at the facility.[7] Three attackers arrived aboard a taxi before detonating an explosive beside it[8] and firing guns and entering the complex.[4] A large fire later broke out at the site. Security cameras showed one of the attackers wearing plainclothes carrying a backpack and holding an assault rifle. One of the perpetrators was identified as a woman.[2] Staff were evacuated to shelters, while firefighters and medical teams were dispatched to the scene.[7] Clashes were also reported in a nearby car park, while several hostages were reported to have been taken.[3]
At least four people were killed in the attack,[3] including two assailants and the driver of the taxi they rode in,[8] while 14 others were injured, three of which were in a critical condition.[9] There were no initial claims of responsibility.[4]
Reactions
editInterior Minister Ali Yerlikaya called the incident a "terrorist attack"[9] and said "Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured people." Ankara metropolitan mayor Mansur Yavaş said in a statement he was “deeply saddened” by the news. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, announced that the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a “judicial investigation” into the incident.[7] The attack was also condemned by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz,[10] who said that the attack was aimed against Turkey's "success in the defense industry",[8] transport minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu and Republican People's Party leader and concurrent leader of the opposition Özgür Özel.[3] TUSAŞ general manager Mehmet Demiroglu cut short his attendance at a defence fair to attend to the situation at company headquarters.[9] President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the attack during a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin at the 16th BRICS summit in Russia.[7] Putin also expressed his condolences.[9]
Mark Rutte, secretary-general of NATO, expressed solidarity with Turkey following the attack.[9] Condemnations were also expressed by the European Union and the United States.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "İşte TUSAŞ'a saldıran o teröristler ve saldırı anı". Habertürk (in Turkish). Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d "'Dead and wounded' in attack near Ankara, Turkish minister says". Al Jazeera. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Beaumont, Peter; Michaelson, Ruth. "Terror attack blamed as four killed and several wounded at Turkish aerospace firm". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b c "An attack targeting a Turkish defense company leaves 3 dead and several wounded". Associated Press. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Ukraine's foreign minister arrives in Türkiye on visit – photos". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Three killed, 14 wounded in attack on aviation firm near Turkey's Ankara". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Attack at Turkish aviation company causes deaths, says minister". BBC. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Fraser, Susan. "Turkish media report explosion and gunfire at premise of a state aerospace company". ABC News. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Four killed, 14 injured in terror attack on Turkish aerospace company". CNN. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Turkish aerospace facility targeted in terror attack in Ankara". Hürriyet Daily News. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Attackers kill 4, injure 14 at Turkish state aviation site". Reuters. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.