This afternoon, three armed individuals, including a woman, launched a surprise attack on the entrance of Türkiye’s Aerospace Industry Academy. According to preliminary information from the country’s Interior Ministry and a statement from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, five people have lost their lives, while 14 others are hospitalized in the Turkish capital.

Two of the three terrorists were killed during the attack.

The assailants arrived at the Aerospace Industry Academy’s entrance in a taxi, which they subsequently blew up to create a diversion. They then stormed the facility, shooting and killing as they went. The Aerospace Industry employs over 10,000 people in various roles. Hundreds of employees who heard the explosion and gunfire scrambled to find shelter, locking themselves in classrooms and other areas of the facility.

After more than two hours, all three terrorists, including the female assailant, were shot and killed by counter-terrorism forces who quickly arrived at the scene. The authorities thoroughly searched the entire facility. For hours, Turkish officials could not confirm if the terrorists had taken any hostages, and even several hours after the attack, details on this remain unclear. However, the Turkish forces’ response was swift, with Interior Ministry officials noting that they arrived and secured the area within seven minutes, according to reports from Turkish media.

Condolences for the victims of the attack have poured in from various sources, including Greece’s Foreign Ministry, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who spoke with Erdoğan by phone. Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, also visited the scene of the tragedy.

Investigations by Turkey’s counter-terrorism units and intelligence services are focusing on the PKK, with Turkish media reporting that neither the identities of the terrorists nor of the Turkish citizens involved have yet been confirmed.

The History of Turkey’s Aerospace Industry – Why It Became a Target of Terrorism

Turkey’s Aerospace Industry is a key research and development hub for advanced technology systems. The facility also plays a significant role in maintaining the country’s domestic weapons systems and those sold to third-party nations. In recent years, the center has employed over 15,000 highly specialized workers and scientists. Turkish media reports that this industry attracts some of the country’s brightest minds, many of whom hold doctoral degrees in scientific and technological fields.

Founded in 1973, Turkey’s Aerospace Industry was established with the goal of reducing the country’s reliance on foreign military equipment and cutting government defense spending. In 2005, the Aerospace Industry merged with the National Aircraft Manufacturing Company to form one organization, in which the Turkish Armed Forces hold the majority stake (54.49%).

The fact that this military technology hub was targeted may be linked to both internal and external factors. The PKK is undoubtedly among the primary suspects for Turkish intelligence services, though the involvement of third parties cannot be ruled out.