At least 6 dead, 14 injured in attack on Turkish defense company TUSAS

ANKARA — An explosion hit the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) near Ankara on Wednesday, causing numerous casualties. Turkish authorities have described the incident as terrorism and are investigating.

At least six people were killed in this attack, including two attackers, according to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. He also said 14 other people were injured and taken to a nearby hospital. Four of them are in serious condition.

What happened: The attack was first reported around 3:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. EST). A series of explosions and gunshots were heard at TUSAS, a major Turkish defense company. Live footage published by the IHA news agency showed police and other emergency teams dispatched to the scene.

Turkish television HaberTurk said the workers had taken shelter in place.

Yerlikaya called the explosion a terrorist attack. Speaking from the scene, he said: “Unfortunately, at 3:26 p.m. (local time, 8:25 a.m. EST), a terrorist attack was carried out against TUSAS, the pride of our national and national defense industry.”

“Two terrorists, a woman and a man, were neutralized,” he said, adding that Turkish authorities were working to determine which organization was behind the attack.

An Ankara prosecutor has opened an investigation into the attack, Turkey’s official Anadolu news agency reported.

Anil Sahin, a well-connected defense industry researcher, told HaberTurk that the attack was carried out by several attackers who arrived at the compound by taxi. IHA images show a heavily damaged yellow taxi at the blast site. Several images broadcast by Turkish media showed at least two attackers, including a woman, advancing inside the compound with long-barreled rifles.

Police vehicles enter Turkish Aerospace Industries facilities following an attack October 23, 2024 in Ankara, Turkey. (Serdar Ozsoy/Getty Images)

Haluk Gorgun, head of Turkey’s Defense Industry Agency, is on his way to Ankara with other top defense officials who were attending a major international defense industry fair in Istanbul, TRT reported.

Reactions: Speaking from Russia, where he is attending the BRICS summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemned the attack.

“We have four martyrs and 14 wounded. I condemn this heinous terrorist attack and pray for God’s mercy on our martyrs,” Erdogan, speaking on camera after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who also condemned the attack.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz offered his condolences to those who lost their lives.

“This treacherous terrorist attack targeted the successes achieved by Turkey in its defense industry,” Yilmaz said, stressing that the attacks will not deter “the heroic employees of our defense industry, nor any citizen who works tirelessly for the ideal of a fully independent Turkey. in all areas.”

Akif Cagatay Kilic, Erdogan’s spokesman, said Turkey would “never allow terrorist organizations, whether inside or outside the country, to disrupt the unity and solidarity of our nation “.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed his support for Turkey in a phone call with Erdogan. “My message was clear: #NATO stands with #Türkiye,” he wrote on X. “We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and are closely monitoring developments.”

Learn more: Located in the Kahramankazan district, approximately 40 kilometers north of downtown Ankara, the vast TUSAS complex covers some 4 million square meters. The defense giant is the manufacturer of Turkey’s first fifth-generation combat aircraft, the Kaan, as well as the Hurjet, a light trainer and attack aircraft, and the Hurkus, a basic trainer and d close air support.

This developing story has been updated since initial publication.