Terrorist attack in Ankara: Türkiye reveals details of attack and announces number of victims
Photo: the scene in Türkiye near the TUSAŞ office in Ankara province (twitter.com/Hurriyet)
As a result of an attack by armed men on the office building of the aerospace company Türk Uçak Sanayii Anonim Ortaklığı (TUSAŞ) in the Turkish province of Ankara, five people were killed, and more than 20 others were injured. Ankara has classified the incident as a terrorist attack, according to Anadolu and Reuters.
It is reported that the attackers who opened fire at the TUSAŞ facility were two men.
According to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, they were killed after the attack. The official added that two of the injured were in serious condition.
"Two terrorists were neutralized in the terror attack on the TUSAŞ Ankara Kahramankazan site. Sadly, we have 5 martyrs and 22 wounded in the attack. Three of the injured were already discharged from hospital, 19 of them under treatment," Yerlikaya said.
Yerlikaya also stated that the perpetrators were "highly likely" members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is banned in Türkiye.
"The style of the act shows that it's highly likely the PKK that carried out the attack. Once identification is completed and other evidence becomes clearer, we'll share more concrete information with you," said the Turkish Minister.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor's office has already begun an investigation into the terrorist act.
Witnesses told Reuters that local authorities evacuated employees from the building to safety, and no one was allowed to leave for several hours. According to sources from the Western media, the explosions they heard may have occurred at various exits.
Ankara'daki Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayii Genel Müdürlüğü (#TUSAŞ) yerleşkesinde silah #patlama anıhttps://t.co/JN6GXpKG6x pic.twitter.com/Z30Biue1iQ
— Hürriyet.com.tr (@Hurriyet) October 23, 2024
In addition, witnesses later reported the beginning of the evacuation of personnel from the TUSAŞ campus by bus after the operation was completed.
Media footage showed damaged gates and gunfire in the parking lot, along with images of the two attackers armed with automatic weapons and backpacks as they entered the building.
Ambulances and helicopters arrived shortly afterward.
Ankara'nın Kahramankazan ilçesinde bulunan Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayii AŞ.'ye (#TUSAŞ) terör saldırısı gerçekleştirildi. Bölgeye çok sayıda özel harekat polisi ve sağlık ekibi sevk edildi.https://t.co/JN6GXpKG6x pic.twitter.com/I4u4zfxY7W
— Hürriyet.com.tr (@Hurriyet) October 23, 2024
What is known about TUSAŞ
TUSAŞ is Türkiye's largest manufacturer of aerospace technology, currently engaged in the production of training aircraft, combat, and civilian helicopters. The company is also developing Türkiye's first domestically produced fighter jet, the KAAN.
Additionally, TUSAŞ is owned by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation and the government, employing over 10,000 people.
Earlier today, it was reported that a terrorist attack occurred at the TUSAŞ defense facility in Ankara Province. The attack resulted in fatalities and injuries. Local media reported that an explosion occurred near the gates of the facility, followed by gunfire.
