On October 23, 2024, a terrorist attack occurred at the headquarters of Turkey’s state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) located in the outskirts of Ankara. The incident involved explosions and gunfire that tragically resulted in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to 22 others.
The attack commenced around 3 PM local time during a change of security personnel. Reports indicate that the assailant, armed with an assault rifle, arrived in a taxi, detonated an explosive device at the building’s entrance, creating chaos before entering the facility. There, he engaged in a shootout with the security staff.
Ali Yerlikaya, Turkey’s Minister of the Interior, expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating, “Unfortunately, we have lost five martyrs, and 22 others were injured in the attack. Of the injured, three have since been released from the hospital while 19 are currently receiving treatment.” He confirmed that the two attackers—a man and a woman—were killed in the confrontation, and authorities are working to determine their identities without revealing whether any additional suspects remain at large.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the heinous terrorist act and expressed condolences for the fallen. Cevdet Yılmaz, the Vice President of Turkey, noted that out of the five fatalities, four were employees of Turkish Aerospace Industries, while one was the taxi driver who transported the assailants to the scene.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the Minister of Defense, Yaşar Güler, pointed fingers at the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), asserting without evidence that they have repeatedly failed to learn their lesson despite facing severe repercussions. He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to continue combating threats until the last terrorist is eliminated.
According to the Associated Press, the exact orchestrator of the attack remains unclear, but there have been instances in the past where Kurdish militants, ISIS, and radical leftist groups have executed attacks in Turkey.
The Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah speculated that the incident could have been a suicide bombing, and additional personnel from security, emergency services, and the fire department have been deployed to manage the situation.
Reportedly, the headquarters employs over 15,000 staff members, who have been relocated to safety in light of the attack.
Turkish Aerospace Industries plays a pivotal role in Turkey’s defense and aerospace sectors. It is known for producing the country’s first indigenous fighter jet, the KAAN, and is involved in multiple aerospace projects, manufacturing training aircraft, combat jets, and civilian helicopters.
