Turkey launches airstrikes after terrorist attack on aerospace facility

ANKARA: Turkey’s air force carried out airstrikes targeting Kurdish militants positions in Iraq and Syria in retaliation on Wednesday.

This follows a terrorist attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) that left five people dead and over 20 injured. Among the injured, two were reported to be in critical condition.

Read more: Attackers kill four, injure 14 at Turkish state aviation site

The Turkish defense ministry announced that more than 30 militant targets were ‘destroyed’ in the operation.

The airstrikes were ordered shortly after suspected Kurdish militants detonated explosives and opened fire at TUSAS. The aerospace facility is situated near the Turkish capital, Ankara.

Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that both attackers, identified as a man and woman, were killed during the terrorist attack.

The Interior Minister hinted at the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was responsible for the attack.

Similarly, Defense Minister Yasar Guler claimed that “we deliver the punishment to these PKK terrorist deserve each time. Yet, they never learn. We will pursue them until  every last one is eliminated”.

The terrorist attack on TUSAS occured when the assailants arrives in a taxi, detonating an explosive deice at the entrance. This helped them gain entry into the secure facility.

The taxi driver was also killed, with his body found in the truck of his own vehicle.

Eyewitnesses described a horrific scene, with gunfire and explosions causing panic among the crowd. Security footage captured a man in a civilian clothing wielding an assault rifler and multiple gunshots were reported as security forces responded.

Turkish authorities would later impose a temporary media blackout on coverage of the terrorist attack. It also restricted access to social media platforms.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz stated that the terrorist attack was an attempt to ‘undermine’ Turkey’s ‘progress’ in the defense sector.

International community immediately condemned the attack. The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General offered condolences to the victims.

The Greek Prime Minster Kyriakos Mitsotakis strongly condemned the brutal attack, as well.

TUSAS is strategically important for Turkey, as it plays an important role in the country’s defense industry. Turkey’s first local combat aircraft, Tai Kaan, was produced at the aerospace facility.

The PKK are a Kurdish resistance group that claims to be working for the rights of Turkish Kurds. It demands the recognition of the Kurdish language and culture, political representation and economic development of the Kurdish region within Turkey.

In beginning it wanted an independent Kurdish state. However, over the decades, the banned organisation’s focus has shifted. It claims to now want greater autonomy in the Kurdish region..

Meanwhile, the Turkish authorities views the PKK as a terrorist organisation as both sides have clashed militarily on several occasions.

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The PKK is also classified as terrorist group by Turkey’s Western allies, with the banned group having carried out several terrorist attacks over the years.