New Delhi: A devastating explosion outside the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) headquarters near Ankara has left several people dead and injured, according to Turkey’s interior minister. The incident, described as a “terrorist attack” by the minister, resulted in casualties at the TAI facility in Kahramankazan, a town located north of Ankara.
Local media outlets showed footage of smoke billowing and a large fire engulfing the site following the explosion. Reports indicated an ongoing “hostage situation” and mentioned gunshots heard after the blast occurred around 4:00 pm local time.
While there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, the justice minister confirmed that an investigation had been initiated to determine the perpetrators. Details emerged of a suicide attack carried out by a group of terrorists who reportedly stormed the TAI headquarters, leading to the detonation of an explosive device.
In response to the tragic event, condemnation poured in from various officials, including Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu and opposition leader Ozgur Ozel. The opposition leader expressed strong disapproval of terrorism and offered condolences to the victims and their families.
The timing of the attack coincided with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s presence at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, where he was scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Istanbul was hosting a significant trade fair for the defense and aerospace industries, underscoring Turkey’s importance in the sector.
Turkey’s defense sector, noted for its Bayraktar drones, plays a crucial role in the nation’s export revenues. With contracts worth billions of dollars signed annually, the sector continues to thrive despite occasional security challenges like the recent attack on TAI.
The incident marks the latest in a series of violent incidents in Turkey, with the country facing threats from various extremist groups. Past attacks have been attributed to organizations like the Islamic State (IS) group and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), highlighting the persistent security risks in the region.