October 23rd 2024.
On a Wednesday near the capital city of Ankara, a group of armed assailants launched a terrifying attack on Turkey's state-run aerospace company. Sadly, the attack resulted in the loss of at least five lives and injured 22 others, according to government officials.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared that the attack took place at the Turkish Aerospace Industries headquarters on the outskirts of Ankara. He also reported that both attackers, a man and a woman, were killed in the confrontation.
Among the victims were four employees of the company, as well as a taxi driver who had driven the assailants to the facility. Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılma confirmed this information, expressing his condolences for the loss of these innocent lives.
A video captured and verified by CNN showed the moment of the explosion at the TUSAS headquarters. In the aftermath, a person holding a firearm was seen running in what appeared to be a parking lot. Another video, also verified by CNN, showed CCTV footage of the attackers, wearing backpacks and carrying guns, approaching the entrance of the aerospace company's headquarters.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, when asked by journalists, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler suggested that the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) could be behind it. This group is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States.
Defense Minister Guler did not disclose the identities of the attackers but stated, "we [Turkey] punish the dishonorable PKK members as they deserve over and over again, but they never seem to learn." Later, Interior Minister Yerlikaya confirmed that while the process of identifying the attackers is ongoing, initial assessments pointed to the PKK as the perpetrators.
He told journalists, "As soon as it is confirmed which terror group is responsible, it will be announced. But I will say this, we also heard the defense minister's comments. From the start, the way the attack was carried out, and the video we saw, points to the PKK having carried out the attack. That is our assessment."
The timing of the attack raised suspicions, as it occurred just a day after the leader of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party brought up Kurdish relations in Parliament. During the session, he proposed offering to release the jailed leader of the PKK in exchange for disbanding the organization, as reported by Reuters.
The general manager of the aerospace company, Mehmet Demiroglu, left a high-profile defense fair early to return to Ankara after the attack. TUSAS was incorporated into Turkey's Ministry of Industry and Technology in 1973 to decrease the country's dependence on foreign defense industries, according to its website.
Ragip Soylu, Turkey bureau chief for the news outlet Middle East Eye, described TUSAS as "one of the biggest, largest defense companies in the country." He also mentioned that they produce armed drones and fighter jets.
The attack took place while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in the Russian city of Kazan, attending the annual BRICS summit. He condemned the "hateful attack" alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he thanked for his condolences.
In a post on X, President Erdogan referred to the incident as a "vile attack" that targeted the country's survival and defense initiatives. He extended his best wishes to the nation and the dedicated employees of TUSAS, a source of pride for Turkey's defense industry.
Turkey is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the organization's secretary-general, Mark Rutte, expressed his concerns over the attack. He stated that he had spoken with President Erdogan, and NATO stands with Turkey in this difficult time.
Ankara mayor Mansur Yavas expressed his sadness for the attack on TUSAS, a major defense company. Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that an investigation has been launched to determine the motives and perpetrators of the attack.
Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, an associate senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, believes that this attack will raise many questions in a country that has not experienced such violence in recent years. He stated that it will be a traumatizing event for the nation, and there will be many theories and confusion until the culprits are identified.
The country's Directorate of Communications Center for Countering Disinformation has warned people to only trust official statements and not believe any unfounded allegations. In the aftermath of the attack, Turkish authorities announced a broadcast ban to prevent the spread of any "terrorist propaganda." Social media and broadcasting companies were instructed to crackdown on the spread of unconfirmed information and images, with the threat of severe sanctions if they fail to comply.
Shortly after this announcement, internet monitoring firm Netblocks reported that social media platforms, including X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, were restricted in Turkey.
During the BRICS summit, Russian President Putin expressed his condolences and condemned any forms of violence, regardless of their motives. The US State Department is tracking reports of the attack, and the US embassy in Turkey strongly condemned it, standing in solidarity with their ally.
Overall, this attack has shaken the country and raised suspicions about its motives. It will take time to determine the perpetrators and their intentions, and until then, Turkey will be in a state of shock and grief.
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