Türkiye strikes Kurdish targets in Iraq and Syria after Ankara attack
Photo: Turkish military aviation (msb.gov.tr)
Turkish military strikes targeted facilities of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) located in northern Iraq and northern Syria. The operation followed an attack on October 23 against the aerospace company Türk Uçak Sanayii Anonim Ortaklığı (TUSAŞ) in the Turkish province of Ankara, according to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.
In a statement, the Turkish Ministry of Defense indicated that these air operations were conducted "in order to neutralize the PKK/KCK and other terrorist elements, eliminate terrorist attacks against our people and security forces."
The Turkish Ministry of Defense also noted that the operation was conducted to ensure the security of the country's borders.
According to Turkish sources, the strikes successfully destroyed a total of 32 targets associated with terrorists.
"A large number of terrorists were neutralized by using the maximum amount of local and national ammunition," the Turkish Ministry of Defense stated.
The ministry emphasized that "all kinds of precautions were taken to prevent harm to innocent civilians, friendly elements, historical and cultural assets, and the environment."
Meanwhile, footage emerged online showing fires and explosions resulting from Turkish strikes on targets in Syria.
— World Crisis Tracker (@WorldCrisi19621) October 23, 2024
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Turkish warplanes carried out a number of strikes in Qamishli, north Hasakah province during an ongoing bombardment campaign tonight seeing dozens of airstrikes and artillery fire on PKK-linked positions in northwest and northeast Syria, as retaliation to the PKK attack in… pic.twitter.com/4HHQmjVdBR
— Levant24 (@Levant_24_) October 23, 2024
— World Crisis Tracker (@WorldCrisi19621) October 23, 2024
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Terrorist attack in Türkiye on TUSAŞ
On October 23, news emerged of a terrorist attack on the defense facility TUSAŞ (Türk Uçak Sanayii Anonim Ortaklığı) in Ankara province, Türkiye. Local media reported that an explosion occurred near the gates of the facility, followed by gunfire.
TUSAŞ is Türkiye's largest manufacturer of aerospace technology. It currently produces training aircraft, combat aircraft, and civilian helicopters. The company is also developing Türkiye's first indigenous fighter jet, KAAN.
Later, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that five people died and 22 were injured as a result of the attack on the facility. Additionally, two assailants were neutralized.
The Interior Minister also mentioned that the perpetrators most likely belonged to the PKK, which is designated as a terrorist organization in Türkiye.
