Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz announced that five individuals were killed and 22 others injured in a terrorist attack at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities near Ankara. The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, in the Kahramankazan district.
Two attackers, a man and a woman, were also killed during the assault, and authorities are currently working to identify them, according to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. Among the injured, seven members of the special forces who responded to the attack were reported.
Yerlikaya condemned the attack, stating, “Our struggle will continue with determination and resolve until the last terrorist is neutralized.” The Turkish Defense Minister, Yaşar Güler, suggested that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was responsible for the attack, reiterating that the group will face consequences for their actions.
Following the attack, the Turkish Defense Ministry conducted airstrikes targeting 32 PKK sites in Iraq and northern Syria, with reports of multiple explosions resulting from these strikes.
Security footage captured the two armed attackers as they approached the facility with backpacks. The TAI site is located approximately 25 miles from Ankara.
In response to the incident, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed deep concern, stating that NATO stands with Turkey and strongly condemns terrorism in all forms. White House national security spokesman John Kirby also denounced the attack, extending thoughts and prayers to those affected and the people of Turkey, while emphasizing that the motive and perpetrators are still being investigated.