Four Dead, 14 Injured As Gunmen Attack Turkish Aviation Company

At least four people have been killed and 14 injured in an attack by gunmen who invaded the headquarters of an aviation company, TUSAS, near the Turkish capital Ankara, on Wednesday, authorities have confirmed.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said two attackers, “a woman and a man, have been neutralised (killed)” in what he called a terrorist attack, while three of the injured are in critical condition.

Initial images shown by the NTV television channel were of a large cloud of smoke in front of the entrance of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), which is located some 40km (25 miles) outside the capital.

It is not yet clear who was behind the attack, and no group has claimed responsibility yet.

Some media reports claimed a suicide attack had occurred and that there were hostages inside the building, though officials have not confirmed this.

According to Reuters, witnesses revealed that employees inside the building were taken by authorities to shelters and no one was permitted to leave for a few hours. They also said the blasts they heard may have taken place at different exits as employees were leaving work for the day.

Broadcasters also showed footage of an exchange of gunfire in a parking lot, as well as attackers carrying assault rifles and backpacks while they entered the building.

TUSAS is Turkey’s largest aerospace manufacturer, currently producing a training craft, combat and civilian helicopters, as well as developing the country’s first indigenous fighter jet, KAAN. Owned by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation and government, it employs more than 10,000 people.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is in Russia for the Brics summit, condemned the attack and commiserated with the deceased.

“I condemn this vile terror attack and wish God’s mercy on our martyrs,” he said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in remarks broadcast live on TV.

He later posted a lengthy statement on X, saying that security forces acted quickly to neutralise the threat, and that “no terrorist organisation, no evil focus targeting our security will be able to achieve their goals”.

Ankara metropolitan mayor Mansur Yavas said in a statement expressed sadness at the news.

He said, “I wish God’s mercy upon our martyrs and a speedy recovery to our wounded. We condemn terrorism. My condolences.”

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced on X that the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a “judicial investigation” into the incident.

Meanwhile, Turkish authorities have imposed a media blackout on details of the attack, and users in large areas of the country have reported not being able to use social media sites like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X.