Turkish aerospace and defense company TUSAS has been targeted by a deadly attack. The government blames the PKK.
It was Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya who confirmed the information on Wednesday afternoon. A terrorist attack on the premises of the Turkish aerospace and defense company TUSAS caused “a number of dead and injured” . Ali Yerlikaya indicated that the attack had targeted the premises of Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. about 40 kilometers from Ankara, the capital.
“Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured as a result of the attack”Mr. Yerlikaya said on X.
Five people were killed and 22 injuredaccording to a new report published Wednesday evening.
“Two terrorists were neutralized”, he added, without specifying whether they had been arrested or killed, or whether there were other attackers.
As for those responsible for this attack, the Turkish authorities have designated the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as “likely” responsible, believing that the modus operandi resembled that of the Kurdish activists.
Private television NTV said a group of attackers arrived at the entrance to the complex inside a taxi during a change of security personnel. At least one of the attackers detonated a bomb, while other attackers managed to enter the compound.
NTV said shooting continued at the site and some staff at the complex may have been taken hostage.
Security camera footage of the attack, broadcast on television, showed a man in civilian clothes wearing a backpack and holding an assault rifle.
At least one woman, also carrying an assault rifle, was among the attackers, footage showed.
Helicopters were seen flying overhead, the channel reported.
TAI is a key player in the Turkish aerospace industry. It designs, develops and manufactures various aerial platforms. The company also produces parts for international projects, including components for the Airbus A380 airliner and the military transport A400M.
When this attack was announced, the new NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, declared himself “alongside” of Turkey while Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to the Turkish president.
Broken dialogue?
This attack comes as the political class seems to want to find a political and negotiated solution to the bloody conflict with Kurdish fighters.
The main pro-Kurdish party, the Dem (ex-HDP), third force in the Turkish parliament, thus judged “significant” that it occurs “as Turkish society discusses solutions so that the possibility of dialogue emerges.”
On Tuesday, the nationalist president of the MHP, Devlet Bahçeli, an ally of President Erdogan, invited the leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Abdullah Öcalan, in prison for 25 years, to speak before Parliament to announce the dissolution of his party, considered a terrorist movement.
From his cell, Selahattin Demirtas, sentenced to 42 years in prison last May, denounced the attack on Wednesday.