Kehinde Fajobi
Four people were killed, and 14 others were wounded on Wednesday in what authorities described as a terrorist attack at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) headquarters near Ankara. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire and explosions at the site.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that two attackers were killed during the assault.
“Two terrorists were neutralised in the terror attack on the TUSAS Ankara Kahramankazan site. Sadly, we have 3 martyrs and 14 wounded in the attack,” Yerlikaya stated, adding that three of the injured were in critical condition.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, attending a BRICS conference in Kazan alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, condemned the attack and accepted Putin’s condolences.
NATO, the United States, and the European Union also denounced the incident.
The cause of the explosion and the identity of the attackers remain unclear, with no group claiming responsibility.
Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation. Some media reports suggested a suicide bombing and possible hostages, though officials have not confirmed this.
Witnesses told Reuters that employees inside the TUSAS building were evacuated to shelters and not allowed to leave for several hours. They said the explosions may have occurred at different exits as workers were leaving for the day. Later, the evacuation of personnel resumed, and buses were allowed to depart after the operation ended.
TUSAS, Turkey’s largest aerospace manufacturer, produces training aircraft, civilian and combat helicopters, and is developing the country’s first indigenous fighter jet, KAAN. It employs over 10,000 people and is owned by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation and the government.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte condemned the attack, affirming the alliance’s solidarity with Turkey.