“There was a terrorist attack against Turkish Aerospace Industries (…) Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured people,” Ali Yerlikaya wrote on the X social network.
This term is often used to refer to the deaths of soldiers or policemen.
The minister did not provide a specific number of victims, but promised to constantly inform the public about the events.
Local media earlier reported an explosion and shooting at a facility located about 40 km from Ankara.
The first images shown by private Turkish television channel NTV showed a large cloud of smoke in front of the entrance to the facility.
The Turkiyetoday news website reports that a suicide bomber targeted the entrance gate of the factory early Wednesday morning.
According to reports, the terrorists arrived at the entrance of the factory in a taxi while the security personnel were changing. According to preliminary data, one or two attackers wearing suicide vests detonated themselves during the clash.
NTV announces that some of the attackers managed to enter the factory complex, and shots continue to ring out at the scene. It is likely that some employees of the complex may have been taken hostage.
Television reported that helicopters were seen flying over the area.
Security forces, ambulances and firefighters were dispatched to the scene, NTV journalists reported.
The company’s employees retreated to a safe area, HaberTurk said.
It is unclear who may be responsible for the attack. Kurdish fighters, Islamic State (IS) and left-wing extremists have carried out attacks in Turkey in the past.
The Anti-Disinformation Center of the Communications Directorate of the Republic of Turkey appealed to people to consider the statements of official sources about the events that took place at Turkish Aerospace Industries and not to believe unfounded claims.
“I am deeply saddened by the conflict and terrorist attack that took place at the TAI facility in Ankara. I wish God’s mercy on our martyrs and speedy recovery of the wounded. We condemn terrorism,” said Ankara Mayor Mansur Yav.
The blast happened during a major defense and space industry exhibition in Istanbul, which Ukraine’s top diplomat was visiting this week.
Turkey’s defense sector, widely known for its Bayraktar drones, generates nearly 80 percent of of the country’s export income, and the income in 2023 should exceed 10.2 billion. dollars (9.5 billion euros).
Turkish media noted that Turkish Aerospace Industries is a major player in Turkey’s aerospace industry, developing and producing engines and parts for the country’s defense industry and foreign partners, including components for the Airbus A380 passenger plane and the A400M military transport plane.
Source: www.15min.lt
