Department of Security and Military Strategic Research and Studies 24-10-2024

A significant aerospace and defense company in Turkey, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), was the target of a violent attack on Wednesday afternoon while thousands of workers were on-site. The incident, which claimed at least five lives and injured 22, comes amid renewed political discussions surrounding Turkey’s longstanding conflict with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The attack’s timing, just a day after a nationalist leader’s call for a potential revival of peace talks with the PKK, has led some to believe it could be a message from the militant group, indicating that they are not ready to lay down their arms.

 Details of the Incident

The attack occurred around 4:00 pm local time (13:00 GMT) at TUSAS headquarters in Kahramankazan, located north of Ankara, Turkey’s capital. The assault was marked by gunfire and explosions, with footage from local news showing large clouds of smoke billowing from the site. Emergency responders were quickly dispatched to contain the situation.

Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, confirmed the attack on social media, describing it as a “terrorist attack” on the aerospace facility. Surveillance footage revealed a coordinated assault, with three individuals arriving in a yellow taxi. One attacker, armed with a rifle, infiltrated the building and opened fire, while others detonated explosives near security checkpoints. According to reports, the attackers were familiar with the building’s layout, possibly planting explosives at various exits as employees were leaving work for the day.

Authorities moved quickly, instructing employees to take shelter inside the building, where they remained for several hours as the situation unfolded. Although some initial media reports speculated about a possible suicide attack, investigations are ongoing.

 Location and Suspects

The attack took place at the main headquarters of TUSAS in Kahramankazan, an area known for its strategic importance in Turkey’s defense industry. Security camera footage revealed a man in plain clothes and a woman, both armed with rifles, carrying out the attack. The Interior Minister later confirmed the involvement of a female assailant.

Although no group has officially claimed responsibility, Turkish officials, including National Defence Minister Yasar Guler, have pointed to the PKK as the likely perpetrators. The PKK has been involved in an armed struggle against the Turkish state for four decades and is labeled a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union.

Another group under suspicion is Turkey’s far-left Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), which has a history of carrying out similar attacks. Experts believe the attack could signify the PKK’s reluctance to embrace peace, especially after recent hints from Turkey’s government regarding possible talks with the group’s jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan.

 Historical Context and Political Developments

The PKK’s conflict with Turkey, which began in the 1980s, saw a brief attempt at a peace process in 2015. However, these efforts collapsed, leading to years of violence. While attacks in Turkey’s major cities have decreased significantly since 2017, the conflict continues, particularly in the southeast and across the border in Iraq and Syria, where Turkish forces have targeted PKK affiliates.

On Tuesday, Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, made an unprecedented statement suggesting that Ocalan could be allowed to speak in parliament if he agreed to disband the PKK and end the rebellion. Wednesday’s attack, some analysts suggest, may be the PKK’s way of rejecting any potential reconciliation or ceasefire.

Omer Ozkizilcik, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs, noted that the attack carried symbolic significance. TUSAS, which has developed Turkey’s first indigenous fighter jet and a range of drones, plays a pivotal role in the country’s defense sector. Turkish drones, in particular, have been crucial in counterterrorism operations, making TUSAS a symbolic and strategic target.

 The Victims

The five confirmed victims of the attack were identified as TUSAS employees Cengiz Coskun (quality control officer), mechanical engineer Zahide Guclu, security guard Atakan Sahin Erdogan, taxi driver Murat Arslan, and another employee, Hasan Huseyin Canbaz. Guclu had been on her way to the entrance to collect flowers sent by her husband when the explosion occurred, while Arslan, the taxi driver, was killed after the attackers forced their way into his vehicle.

 Aftermath and Investigation

Authorities have declared the situation under control, with two attackers “neutralized” according to Interior Minister Yerlikaya. Special forces were deployed, and drones have been used to search the area for any remaining threats. Meanwhile, the Turkish chief public prosecutor’s office has launched a formal investigation.

In the hours following the attack, anxious family members gathered outside TUSAS facilities, hoping for news of their loved ones. Reports suggest that approximately 7,500 employees were present at the time of the attack.