ANKARA, Turkey — A devastating terror attack struck Turkish Aerospace Industries, TUSAS, in the capital city of Ankara on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, leaving several dead and many injured, according to government officials.
“A terrorist attack was carried out against the Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAS) Ankara Kahramankazan facilities. Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured people after the attack,” Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A video shared on social media and later verified by CNN captured the moment of the explosion at TUSAS headquarters.
In the footage, a powerful blast shakes the area, and a person holding a firearm is seen running through what appears to be a parking lot.
Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas expressed his sorrow over the attack, calling it a direct assault on one of Turkey’s critical defense assets.
“I am deeply saddened by the attack on TUSAS,” Yavas said, referencing the company’s vital role in Turkey’s national defense industry.
Founded in 1973 and part of Turkey’s Ministry of Industry and Technology, TUSAS was established to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign defense suppliers.
Over the years, it has become a significant player in aerospace engineering, producing military aircraft, helicopters, and satellite systems.
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Wednesday that authorities have launched an investigation into the attack.
No immediate claim of responsibility has been made, and officials have yet to provide specific details regarding the perpetrators.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told CNN, “We are tracking reports of the attack and are in contact with our Turkish counterparts for further information.”
The attack came at a sensitive time, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Russian city of Kazan to attend the BRICS summit, a major annual economic meeting between Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
The president has not yet issued a statement.
Following the incident, TUSAS General Manager Mehmet Demiroglu, who had been attending a high-profile defense fair, left the event early to return to Ankara, according to state news agency Anadolu.
The attack on TUSAS, a cornerstone of Turkey’s defense sector, has raised concerns about national security and the potential for further violence.
As investigations unfold, the government is expected to ramp up security measures across key infrastructure sites.
This marks the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting Turkey’s defense and security establishments, stoking fears of escalating tensions in the region.
