October 24th 2024.
Today, Turkey's air force carried out a strike on targets belonging to Kurdish militants in both Iraq and Syria. This action was believed to be in response to a recent attack at a state-run defence company, which tragically resulted in the death of five people and left over 20 others wounded.
The defence ministry reported that over 30 targets were destroyed in the aerial offensive, but did not specify the exact locations. They also assured that precautions were taken to avoid harm to civilians. The strike took place shortly after suspected Kurdish militants launched explosives and gunfire at the aerospace and defence company TUSAS. The Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, confirmed that the two attackers, a man and a woman, were killed in the incident.
Tragically, 22 people, including seven security personnel, were injured during the attack. The minister pointed to the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party, also known as PKK, as being responsible for this violent act. Defence Minister Yasar Guler echoed this sentiment, stating that the PKK will continue to face consequences for their actions. "We will pursue them until the last terrorist is eliminated," he declared.
It is worth noting that Turkey regularly conducts airstrikes against the PKK, as well as a Kurdish militia group in Syria that is affiliated with the militants. At this time, the PKK has not released any statements regarding the strike.
In addition to the PKK, other extremist groups such as the Islamic State and leftist organizations have also carried out attacks in Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while attending a BRICS meeting in Russia, condemned the attack and received condolences from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US Embassy also released a statement strongly condemning the terrorist attack.
TUSAS, the targeted defence company, is responsible for designing, manufacturing, and assembling both civilian and military aircraft, as well as other defence industry and space systems. Their unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have played a crucial role in Turkey's fight against Kurdish militants.
The attack occurred just one day after a far-right nationalist party leader, who is allied with Erdogan, suggested that the imprisoned leader of the PKK could be released on parole if he renounced violence and disbanded the organization. This group has been fighting for autonomy in southeast Turkey for decades, resulting in tens of thousands of lives lost. The PKK is considered a terrorist group by Turkey and their Western allies.
The country's pro-Kurdish political party, which also condemned the attack, noted that it took place at a time when the possibility of dialogue to end the conflict had emerged. According to Turkish media, the assailants arrived at the TUSAS complex in a taxi and were carrying assault weapons. They detonated an explosive device next to the taxi, allowing them to enter and begin their attack.
One of the victims, mechanical engineer Zahide Guclu, was at the entrance collecting flowers from her husband when the attack occurred. The taxi driver was also killed and his body was found in the trunk of the vehicle. Orhan Akdundar, a brother of a TUSAS employee, was outside the complex waiting for news of his loved ones. He recounted speaking to his brother during the attack and hearing a bomb go off and gunshots continue for a long time.
As the victims were being evacuated from the premises, an unidentified TUSAS employee shouted, "We will work harder and produce more in defiance of the traitors." Security camera footage showed a man carrying an assault rifle and wearing plain clothes, and helicopters were seen flying above the complex. The interior minister confirmed that security teams were dispatched as soon as the attack began.
There was a temporary blackout on coverage of the attack and access to social media websites was limited by authorities. Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz stated that the target of the attack was Turkey's success in the defence industry. The Iraqi Embassy in Ankara issued a statement condemning the attack and expressing their solidarity with Turkey.
Earlier this year, Iraq announced a ban on the PKK. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed their solidarity with Turkey, while Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis denounced the attack and extended his condolences to the families of the victims. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless act of violence.
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