At least four individuals have died, and 14 others are injured following an attack at the headquarters of an aviation company located near Ankara, Turkey. Authorities have confirmed these details while Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that three of the injured are in critical condition. The attackers, described as a man and a woman, have been neutralized.
Images from the scene reveal a significant cloud of smoke at the entrance of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), situated approximately 40 kilometers from the capital. The identity of the attackers remains unknown, and no group has claimed responsibility.
It is still unclear how many people were involved in this incident and whether authorities are pursuing additional suspects. Reports indicate that the explosion occurred around the time of a shift change, prompting staff evacuations to designated shelters.
Some media outlets have circulated a photograph allegedly showing one of the suspects entering the building with a weapon. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, currently in Russia for the Brics summit, condemned the attack, expressing his condolences to the victims’ families and stating that security forces acted swiftly to neutralize the threat.
Erdogan emphasized that terrorist organizations will not achieve their malicious goals against Turkey’s security.
Ankara’s metropolitan mayor, Mansur Yavas, expressed his sorrow over the tragic event, stating, “I wish God’s mercy upon our martyrs and a speedy recovery to our wounded. We condemn terrorism. My condolences.” Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated a judicial investigation into the attack.
Turkish authorities have implemented a media blackout regarding the attack’s details, with users across various regions reporting difficulties accessing social media platforms. The president of Turkey’s Radio and TV Supreme Council has advised against sharing images linked to the incident, warning that such acts could serve terrorist agendas.
TAI plays a vital role in Turkey’s aerospace sector, responsible for designing and manufacturing a range of aircraft for both commercial and military purposes. The company is the licensed manufacturer for the US-designed F-16 fighter jets and is involved in modernizing older military aircraft.
Ownership of TAI is split between the Turkish Armed Forces and a civilian government entity focused on enhancing defense capabilities. Notably, the attack coincided with a significant trade fair for defense and aerospace industries in Istanbul.
Possible Motives Behind the Attack
Turkey has a history of attacks labeled as terrorism, often attributed to Kurdish separatists operating in northern Syria. However, the influence of the Islamic State (IS) also looms, particularly given the strategic role of the Turkish aerospace industry in international conflicts.
This includes the use of Turkish-made drones, which have significantly impacted military engagements in regions like Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as Ukraine. As investigations progress, key questions remain regarding who stands to gain from this attack and their motivations.
