During a recent interview, we explored the serious incident that unfolded near Ankara, where an attack at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) resulted in unfortunate casualties. Eyewitness videos showed at least two assailants firing weapons outside the facility, about 25 miles from the capital. Tragically, five people lost their lives, and 22 others were injured in this shocking incident.
The Turkish government has attributed this attack to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the UK. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the assault, labeling it “heinous,” and emphasized that the military retaliated by successfully targeting 32 locations associated with the PKK in Iraq and Syria.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that the attackers—a man and a woman—had been “neutralized.” Reports indicate that four of the victims were employees of TAI, while the fifth was a taxi driver, allegedly killed by the attackers before they commandeered his vehicle for the assault.
The attack coincided with a shift change at TAI, prompting immediate evacuations and staff being directed to shelters. Yerlikaya noted that among the injured were seven members of the special operations forces.
While in Russia for the Brics summit, President Erdogan described the incident as a “vile terror attack” during discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He later reassured the public that Turkish security forces acted swiftly to mitigate the threat, declaring that “no terrorist organization” would succeed in their malicious aims.
Moreover, the Turkish authorities imposed restrictions on media coverage regarding the attack, with many users reporting difficulties accessing major social media platforms. Ebubekir Sahin, president of Turkey’s Radio and TV Supreme Council, urged the public to refrain from sharing any images that could be perceived as supporting terrorism.
It’s important to note that TAI plays a pivotal role in Turkey’s aerospace sector, focusing on aircraft design, development, and manufacturing for both civilian and military applications. It is also recognized as the licensed manufacturer for US-designed F-16 fighter jets and engages in modernizing older military aircraft. The attack occurred during a significant trade fair for the defense and aerospace industries being held in Istanbul, underlining the grave implications of this incident for both security and industry in Turkey.
