Deadly ‘terrorist attack’ strikes key defense company in Turkey / Elena Giordano and Joshua Posaner / POLITICO

Politico, October 23, 2024

A lethal « terrorist attack » on Wednesday rocked a top Turkish defense company in Ankara, killing three people and injuring 14, according to a senior government minister.

« A terrorist attack was carried out against the Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ) Ankara Kahramankazan facilities. Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured people following the attack, » Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a statement on social media.

« Two terrorists were neutralized in the attack, » Yerlikaya said in a later statement.

The company runs maintenance on Turkey’s fleet of old F-16 fighter jets and sells its own systems, from military aircraft under its own TF-X program to training aircraft such as the Hürkuş. It also pitched a multirole helicopter at international air shows this year.

Images published on Turkish state-run outlet Anadolu Agency show a major emergency services presence at the site of the attack.

Turkey’s Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç condemned the attack and said a probe was underway.

« A judicial investigation has been launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the treacherous terrorist attack, » he said.

Turkey’s Western allies signaled their support for Ankara in the wake of the bombing.

« Deeply concerning reports of dead and wounded in Ankara. NATO stands with our Ally Turkey. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and are monitoring developments closely, » said NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

This story is being updated by Politico

Stuart Lau contributed to this report.