A large explosion outside the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) near Ankara has left several people dead and injured in what officials are describing as a “terrorist attack,” Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed on Wednesday.
“A terrorist attack was carried out against the Turkish Aerospace Industries… Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured people,” Yerlikaya announced on X (formerly Twitter), using the term “martyrs” to refer to the deaths of soldiers or police officers.
“Two terrorists were neutralized in the terrorist attack targeting the Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ) Ankara Kahramankazan facilities. Unfortunately, we have 3 martyrs and 14 injured in the attack. May God have mercy on our martyrs and I wish a speedy recovery to our wounded. I condemn this heinous attack. Our struggle will continue with determination and resolve until the last terrorist is neutralized,” he added.
Here is what you need to know
The explosion took place at approximately 4:00 pm (local time) in Kahramankazan, a small town around 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Ankara. Footage from local media showed massive clouds of smoke rising from the site and a large fire raging in the aftermath.
Following the blast, local news outlets reported an ongoing hostage situation. Haberturk TV provided limited details, while private broadcaster NTV mentioned gunshots heard shortly after the explosion.
At the time of the attack, Turkey was hosting a major defense and aerospace trade fair in Istanbul, which had been attended by Ukraine’s top diplomat earlier this week. The Turkish defense sector, known globally for producing Bayraktar drones, is a major contributor to the country’s economy, with revenues expected to surpass $10.2 billion in 2023.
There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Turkish authorities are currently investigating the incident, and further details are expected as the situation develops.
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