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Explosion at Turkish aerospace facility led to terror attack

Vaseline October 23, 2024

Authorities in Turkey say a deadly explosion at an aerospace facility on Wednesday was a terrorist attack.

Authorities said several people were killed and injured, but they did not provide a specific number of victims. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the explosion was a “terrorist attack” in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. He added that the victims included both civilians and security personnel.

Turkish channel Habertürk TV reported that there was a “hostage situation” at the site of the explosion, but gave no details.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz condemned the attack in a statement on social media. He added that security forces immediately responded to the explosion.

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Turkish police officers gather as an armed personnel vehicle drives along a road in Kahramankazan, some 40 kilometers north of Ankara, near the gate of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), after a massive explosion outside its headquarters on October 23, 2024 left behind. The number of deaths and injuries was a “terrorist attack”, according to the Turkish Interior Minister. (Getty)

“The insidious terrorist attack targeted Turkey’s achievements in the defense industry,” he wrote, adding that the country’s “fight against terrorism will continue.”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also acknowledged the attack in a statement, condemning “terrorism in all its forms.”

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Turkey’s defense sector is a major exporter for the country, focusing mainly on military drones built at facilities like Wednesday’s.

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No group took responsibility for the attack as of Wednesday afternoon.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has not yet released a statement on Wednesday’s terrorist attack. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye / Pool photo via AP)

Turkey has played a divisive role in the ongoing tensions in the Middle East throughout the year. Although the country is a member of NATO, it has also expressed solidarity with terrorist groups such as Hamas.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the country’s flag to be halved following the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in August. Israeli officials condemned the measure as the Turkish embassy in Israel followed Erdogan’s order.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter at Fox News Digital covering national politics and major news events. Send tips to [email protected], or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.