ROME (ITALPRESS) – Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that there are 3 dead and 14 injured in the “terrorist” attack on the headquarters of a drone manufacturing company in Ankara. The mayor of the area confirmed to a Turkish channel that 3 people have died in the attack so far. Turkish media reported that two of the perpetrators of the Ankara attack were killed, while a third was taking hostages. The official Turkish news agency “Anadolu” reported that a powerful explosion occurred at the headquarters of the Turkish aviation and space industry company “Tusas” in Ankara, followed by gunfire in the area. Yerlikaya wrote on the “X” platform, “There was a terrorist attack on the facilities of the Turkish Aerospace Industries Company in Ankara. Unfortunately, we have martyrs and wounded in this attack.” A video clip captured the moment of the attack on the company’s headquarters amid the sound of gunfire.
The private television channel NTV reported that a group of gunmen arrived at the complex’s entrance in cabs while changing shifts, and at least one of the attackers detonated a bomb, while the others stormed the complex.
The channel added that the shooting continued inside the premises and that some of its employees may have been taken hostage as helicopters flew over the company’s headquarters. NTV had previously indicated that security forces, ambulances and firefighters had been sent to the scene.
The Habertürk network also announced on the company’s website that hostages would be taken, without further details. No party has yet claimed responsibility for this operation.
Interestingly, Kurdish militias, ISIS and leftist extremist groups have launched attacks in Turkey in the past. Revenues from the defense industries sector, including drones like the Bayraktar, accounted for about 80 percent of Turkey’s exports in 2023, or about $10.2 billion.
“I spoke with the ambassador to Turkey and he gave me the latest updates on the situation after the attack. Calm has returned, there were 11 Italians in the area where there was this terrorist attack, but they were always safe and never in real danger. Now they are leaving the area where this aerospace event was taking place,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antono Tajani during a press point in Pescara on the sidelines of the G7 Development.
“For the moment it seems to me that we can be absolutely positive as far as our fellow citizens are concerned. We express solidarity and sympathy for the attack,” he added. “Terrorism should have no place in our societies but unfortunately it continues to act and strike innocent victims. Shooting innocent people is always a horrendous crime. There is no possibility of recognition and dignity to those who carry out such attacks.”
– IPA Agency Photos –
(ITALPRESS).
