State aviation site attacked in Turkey's Ankara, leaves some dead, injured

The Turkish government announced an attack on the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), resulting in four deaths and 14 injuries. A court imposed a broadcast ban regarding the attack.

Reuters & Duvar English

Turkey said on Oct. 23 that a deadly attack was carried out at the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) in the Kahramankazan district of the capital Ankara, while media reported a loud explosion at the site and showed footage of an exchange of gunfire there.

"A terrorist attack was carried out against the TUSAŞ facilities in Kahramankazan, Ankara. Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured people," Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on social media X.

In his latest statement, Yerlikaya confirmed that the death toll had risen to four and noted that three of the 14 injured were in critical condition.

The cause of the explosion and the subsequent gunfire remained unclear, with some media reports claiming a suicide attack had occurred. Emergency services were dispatched to the site, state-owned Anadolu Agency reported.

Television images showed a damaged gate and a nearby clash in a parking lot.

"I am deeply saddened by the shooting and terrorist attack at the TAI facility in Ankara. I wish God's mercy to our martyrs and a speedy recovery to our wounded. We condemn terrorism. Our deepest condolence," Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş said.

Meanwhile, a Turkish court imposed a broadcast ban regarding the attack, media watchdog head Ebubekir Şahin announced.

TUSAŞ is one of Turkey's most important defense and aviation companies. It produces KAAN, the country's first national combat aircraft, among other projects.