On October 23, 2024, a horrific terrorist attack hit the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) facility, located in Kahramankazan, about 40 kilometers north of downtown Ankara, Turkey. The attack left seven people dead, including four civilians, and 22 others injured. The attack involved two perpetrators, a man and a woman, who carried bombs and firearms to attack the defense facility.
Chronology of the Incident
The attack occurred at around 3:26 p.m. local time, when an explosion was heard followed by gunfire at the entrance of TUSAS. The perpetrators, who arrived by taxi, detonated their explosives and opened fire on employees and guards at the gate. Shortly after, police and emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the location to secure the area and deal with the emergency situation.
The police managed to neutralize the two terrorists at the scene. However, before they were stopped, they had caused destruction and death at the facility, which is Turkey’s pride in the defense industry. One of the dead was identified as a taxi driver who had unknowingly driven the attackers to the site. The facility plays a key role in Turkey’s development of aerospace technology and national defense, making it a symbolic target for groups opposed to the country’s military might.
Suspected Attackers
While no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack, the Turkish government suspects the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was involved. The PKK has long been involved in an armed conflict with the Turkish government in an effort to gain autonomy for its Kurdish ethnic group. Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler has stated that the attack was likely carried out by the PKK, although further investigation is underway to determine who was behind it.
The PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and many European countries. The conflict between the PKK and the Turkish government has lasted for more than 40 years, with thousands of deaths on both sides. The attack comes amid a political debate in Turkey about a more peaceful approach to resolving the conflict with the PKK, leading to speculation that the attack may have been intended to disrupt those efforts.
Government and International Response
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in Russia at the time to attend the BRICS Summit, immediately condemned the attack as a “cowardly attack” targeting Turkey’s achievements in the defense industry. Erdogan stressed that Turkey would not back down from its fight against terrorism and would continue to strengthen its national defense.
In direct response, Turkey launched airstrikes on Kurdish militant bases in northern Iraq and Syria, destroying 32 targets suspected of being linked to the PKK. The attack was part of Turkey’s strategy to eliminate militant groups that it considered a threat to its national security.
NATO and a number of Western countries, including the United States, strongly condemned the attack and expressed their support for Turkey in its efforts to combat terrorism. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the Turkish people affected by the attack, while emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism.
Conclusion
The terrorist attack that occurred in TUSAS, Ankara, on October 23, 2024, added to the long list of violent acts carried out by terrorist groups in Turkey. With seven dead and more than 20 injured, the attack showed how vulnerable Turkey’s strategic infrastructure is to the threat of terrorism. However, the swift response from authorities and international support signal that Turkey will not give up in fighting groups that seek to undermine its national security.