Turkish authorities: Attack on aviation headquarters 'most likely' the work of Kurdish militants

2024-10-23 22:45:14, Kosova & Bota CNA

Turkish authorities: Attack on aviation headquarters 'most likely' the

The perpetrators of the attack on the headquarters of the state-owned Turkish Aviation Company (TUSAS) located in Ankara are most likely members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters on Wednesday.

He added that the number of dead as a result of the attack has already reached five.

14 people were also injured in what the government called a terrorist attack.

Witnesses said they heard gunshots and an explosion in a location near Ankara.

Earlier, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that the two people who carried out the attack were killed at the scene, adding that three of the injured were in critical condition.

Footage of armed persons entering the TUSAS building was broadcast in the Turkish media.

In a conference within the BRICS economic group meeting held in Kazakhstan, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan with President Vladimir Putin at his side condemned the attack.

Mr Erdogan also accepted Mr Putin's condolences.

Likewise, the attack was condemned by NATO, the United States and the European Union.

In a post on X social media, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the military alliance stands by its ally, Turkey.

" The reports of dead and wounded in Ankara are deeply disturbing. NATO stands by its ally, Turkey. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and are closely monitoring developments ," he wrote.

The identity of the perpetrators of the attack remains unclear.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the incident. The state agency "Anadolu" announced that prosecutors had launched an investigation into the attack.

Some media claimed that it was a suicide attack and that there were hostages inside the building, but officials did not confirm this.

Witnesses told Reuters that employees inside the building were taken under the protection of authorities and that no one was allowed to leave for several hours.

Other witnesses said they heard explosions at various exits of the building as company employees who had finished their official work hours were leaving.

Witnesses later said that the evacuation of personnel from TUSAS headquarters had begun and that busloads of people had been allowed to leave as the operation ended.

Televisions broadcast footage of a damaged gate and gunfire in a parking lot. The footage also showed the armed attackers entering the building with backpacks on their backs. Ambulances and helicopters were later seen arriving.

TUSAS is the largest aircraft manufacturing company in Turkey, including combat and civil helicopters. It is also producing the country's first combat aircraft, the KAAN.

The company owned by the Turkish government has a staff of more than 10,000 employees./ VOA