Turkey’s military launched targeted airstrikes late Wednesday night against sites in Iraq and Syria associated with the Kurdish militant group PKK. This action comes in response to a deadly attack near Ankara, which resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and injured 22 others.
Video footage from the incident earlier that day shows individuals firing weapons outside the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), situated approximately 40km from the capital. The Turkish defense ministry stated that a total of 32 targets linked to the militants were successfully neutralized in retaliation.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack as “heinous” and emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining security. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that the attackers, identified as a man and a woman, had been neutralized, and suggested that the PKK was likely involved.
The PKK, classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the UK, has been engaged in a decades-long struggle for greater rights for Turkey’s Kurdish population. Reports indicate that the airstrikes targeted military installations, ammunition depots, and energy infrastructure.
In the aftermath of the attack, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces reported that a “new wave” of Turkish assaults had commenced, resulting in civilian casualties and claiming the lives of at least 12 people. The Turkish defense ministry stated that precautions had been implemented to minimize harm to innocent civilians and cultural heritage.
Four of the five victims were employees of TAI, with the fifth being a taxi driver, who was reportedly killed before the attackers used his vehicle to carry out the assault. The attack coincided with a shift change at the facility, prompting emergency responses and sheltering measures for staff.
The Turkish government has imposed restrictions on media coverage surrounding the incident, with reports indicating limited access to various social media platforms across the country. Authorities have urged the public to refrain from sharing images related to the event, aimed at preventing the spread of perceived terrorism propaganda.
TAI holds a crucial role in Turkey’s defense sector, being a key manufacturer of military and commercial aircraft. It is notably designated as the licensed manufacturer for US-designed F-16 fighter jets and contributes to the modernization of the Turkish military’s aerial fleet.
This incident occurs amid heightened security concerns and draws attention during a significant defense and aerospace trade fair taking place in Istanbul.
