A suicide terrorist attack targeted the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) headquarters in Ankara on Wednesday, killing five and injuring 22, according to Turkish authorities. The assailants, a man and woman, engaged in a shootout with security forces before both were “neutralized,” according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. Turkish officials suspect the attackers were members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), though no group has yet claimed responsibility.
The attack took place during a shift change at the TUSAS facility, a major defense manufacturer producing military aircraft, drones, and space technology. Video footage circulated by Turkish media showed the assailants opening fire after arriving by taxi and breaching the gates of the facility. Authorities said one of the attackers detonated an explosive vest.
The attack has sparked widespread international condemnation. Dutch NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the incident “a heinous act of terrorism” and reaffirmed the alliance’s support for Turkey in combating security threats. “These actions contradict human values and require the international community to unite against terrorism,” he said.
The UN also issued a statement through Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, condemning the attack and expressing condolences to the victims. UN Secretary-General António Guterres extended his sympathies, stressing the need for global efforts to prevent such acts of violence.
In the Middle East, both Jordan and Algeria issued strong denunciations of the attack, with the governments expressing solidarity with Turkey. Azerbaijan, a close ally of Turkey, condemned the attack and reiterated its support. “Azerbaijan stands by its brother Turkey in these trying times,” said the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry in a statement.
The Syrian Salvation Government (SSG), which operates in liberated areas of northwestern Syria, also released a statement condemning the attack. “We denounce these terrorist sabotage operations that seek to undermine Turkey’s strength,” the SSG said, extending condolences to the victims and their families. Ahrar al-Sham, a prominent revolutionary group in northern Syria, similarly condemned the attack, framing it as a direct assault on Turkey’s sovereignty and its efforts to develop strategic defense capabilities.
In retaliation for the attack, Turkey launched a series of airstrikes targeting PKK positions in northern Iraq and northeastern Syria. The Turkish Defense Ministry confirmed that 32 PKK-affiliated targets were hit, including military points in the Manbij and Hasaka regions. The strikes were part of ongoing efforts to “eliminate terrorist threats against the Turkish people and ensure the security of the nation’s borders,” the ministry said in a statement.
Reports from local sources in northern Syria indicated that Turkish artillery fire also struck areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a coalition that includes PKK-aligned fighters. The bombardment targeted the vicinity of Al-Malikiyah and the town of Tal Tamr, among other locations. Ankara views the SDF as an extension of the PKK, a group it has been fighting for decades.
Turkish President Erdogan, who had been briefed by security officials following the attack, vowed to intensify efforts to combat terrorism. “Our fight will continue with unwavering resolve until the last terrorist is neutralized,” Erdogan said.
TUSAS is one of Turkey’s leading defense companies, producing helicopters, fighter jets, and drones that are central to the country’s military and aerospace development. The facility attacked on Wednesday is located in Ankara’s Kahramankazan district and serves as a major hub for Turkey’s defense industry, which has been expanding in recent years.
With the Turkish Armed Forces holding a majority stake in the company, TUSAS has become a symbol of Turkey’s defense ambitions, making it a high-profile target for militants opposed to Ankara’s regional policies.
As Turkey mourns the victims of the Ankara attack, the incident has prompted swift military retaliation and garnered international solidarity. Observers speculate that Turkey’s military operations against PKK-affiliated groups will escalate in the coming days.
