Turkey Terror Attack Near Ankara Claims Lives of 4 Civilians and 2 Attackers; 14 Injured | Update
A powerful explosion near Ankara, Turkey, has resulted in numerous casualties, with reports indicating several dead and injured. Authorities have labeled the incident a terror attack, prompting an investigation.
Kahramankazan, Turkey – In a tragic incident on Wednesday, a terrorist attack at the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Ankara, left four civilians dead and 14 others injured. Among the casualties, three individuals are reported to be in critical condition.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in Russia for a summit with President Vladimir Putin at the time of the attack, described it as a "heinous terrorist attack" and confirmed the casualties. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that two attackers, identified as a man and a woman, were neutralized during the incident.
Eyewitness reports and local media footage revealed substantial smoke and flames billowing from the site shortly after the attack, which occurred around 4:00 PM local time. Haberturk TV reported that a "hostage situation" was underway, while other outlets mentioned gunfire following a blast, which may have been a suicide attack.
There has yet to be an official claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Justice Minister announced that an investigation is underway. Reports indicate that at least one of the attackers was a woman, and security footage showed a man carrying an assault rifle entering the building prior to the explosion.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from Turkish officials, including Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu and opposition leader Ozgur Ozel, who expressed solidarity against terrorism regardless of its source.
Turkey’s defense sector, which significantly contributes to the nation's export revenues, is currently facing increased scrutiny following this incident. Erdogan’s meeting with Putin was marked by the Russian leader’s condolences over the tragedy. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also reaffirmed the alliance's support for Turkey in a conversation with Erdogan following the attack.
This incident marks the most significant act of violence in Turkey since a January attack claimed by Islamic State militants in Istanbul, which left one man dead. The country continues to grapple with security challenges, particularly from groups like the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party), which has engaged in a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state.
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