A huge explosion rocked state-owned TUSAS headquarters near Ankara and left a number of people “dead and injured,” Turkey’s interior minister said Wednesday, describing it as a “terrorist attack.” At least 3 people have lost their lives and 14 people have suffered injuries in this terrorist attack. Meanwhile two terrorists have also been killed.
Ali Yerlikaya took to X and confirmed the attack saying, “A terrorist attack was carried out against the Turkish Aerospace Industries… Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured people.”
Before the official confirmation, the local media had reported a blast and shooting outside the site some 25 miles outside Ankara.
Notably, TUSAS is one of Turkey’s most significant defence and aerospace companies. It produces KAAN, Turkey’s first national combat aircraft.
The blast occurred amid an ongoing major trade fair for the defence and aerospace industries in Istanbul. Some reports suggest that some terrorists are inside the building and holding hostages.
Meanwhile, visuals have also emerged purportedly showing the terrorists and the attack. Moreover, a CCTV image has also emerged which shows hostages from inside the building. However, TFI Media does not claim the authenticity of these visuals.
🇹🇷 | #Turkey: A terrorist attack occurred at the TUSAŞ/Turkish Aerospace Industries aerospace & defense plant in Ankara, Turkish MFA informed.
Casualties reported.
There was at least one explosion and audible gunfire in the area. pic.twitter.com/7abQlfaJqL
— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) October 23, 2024
To deal with the attack, Turkish special forces have been deployed, which has stormed the building.
Sources said that two terrorists are involved in the attack and they are associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
According to the Local media reports, at least one woman, also carrying an assault rifle, was among the terrorists. The attack also gains significance considering the fact that Turkey’s defence sector is the most important sector to generate export revenue. Turkey’s defence exports account for nearly 80 percent of the nation’s export revenues with revenues expected to top 10.2 billion dollars in 2023.
