Turkey's air force conducted airstrikes on Kurdish militant targets in Iraq and Syria in response to an attack at a state-run defense company that resulted in five deaths and over 20 injuries. The defense ministry reported that more than 30 targets were destroyed in the offensive, with precautions taken to avoid civilian casualties.
The attack at the aerospace and defense company TUSAS was carried out by suspected Kurdish militants who detonated explosives and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of the two attackers and injuries to 22 individuals, including security personnel.
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is believed to be behind the assault, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and Defense Minister Yasar Guler. Turkey has a history of conducting airstrikes against the PKK, which has a presence in Iraq, as well as a Kurdish militia group in Syria.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack, receiving condolences from Russian President Vladimir Putin and a statement of condemnation from the U.S. Embassy. TUSAS, the targeted defense company, is known for designing and manufacturing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other defense industry systems.
The assault occurred shortly after a suggestion by a far-right nationalist party allied with Erdogan that the imprisoned PKK leader could be granted parole in exchange for renouncing violence and disbanding the organization. The pro-Kurdish political party in Turkey condemned the attack, noting the emergence of a potential dialogue to end the conflict.
The assailants arrived at the TUSAS complex in a taxi, carrying weapons and explosives. The attack resulted in multiple casualties, including a mechanical engineer and the taxi driver. Security forces responded to the incident, with gunshots heard and helicopters seen flying above the premises.
The Iraqi Embassy in Ankara and international leaders, including NATO Secretary-General and U.N. Secretary-General, expressed solidarity with Turkey, condemning the attack. The Iraqi government previously announced a ban on the PKK earlier this year.
