Turkey faced a brutal attack on October 23, 2024, as two attackers from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) launched a deadly assault on the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) headquarters in Ankara. Armed with rifles and explosives, these assailants caused significant destruction, killing five and injuring 22 others, as they infiltrated the complex with deadly intent.
The PKK, a Kurdish militant group that has clashed with Turkey since 1984, claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as part of their ongoing struggle for Kurdish autonomy in southeastern Turkey. The attackers were identified as part of the PKK’s “Immortal Battalion,” a designation used to underscore their members’ commitment to violent resistance. Their tactics were chillingly effective: one attacker reportedly took her own life with an explosive device after sustaining injuries, while the other threw hand grenades before detonating in a nearby building.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous act of terror.” His words underscored the outrage felt by a nation long accustomed to sporadic violence yet shaken by this brazen assault on its capital. In a swift response, Turkish forces launched airstrikes targeting PKK-affiliated sites in northern Iraq and Syria, sending a clear message that such actions would not go unanswered.
The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been locked in a brutal struggle with the Turkish government for nearly four decades. Originally seeking an independent Kurdish state, the PKK has more recently demanded greater rights and autonomy for Kurds in Turkey. This ongoing conflict has seen countless casualties, with the PKK repeatedly launching attacks in various forms across Turkey, and the Turkish government responding with force, including military operations beyond its borders.
This attack amplifies concerns not only about Turkey’s internal security but also about the broader regional impact of the Turkish government’s actions against the PKK.
🚨🇹🇷PKK CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANKARA ATTACK
The PKK militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) in Ankara that left 5 dead and 22 injured.
The assault, carried out by 2 attackers using rifles and explosives, targeted the… t.co/Osck6LZkeo pic.twitter.com/w6YW77xuAh
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 25, 2024
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