Moment female and male terrorists storm Turkish defence firm after ‘suicide bomb’ rocks constructing as assault leaves a number of ‘useless and injured’
Terrorists have stormed a defence company headquarters in Turkey leaving at least three people dead and five injured, local media reports, as dramatic footage shows a large explosion and attackers armed with assault rifles.
The attack was carried out against the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) near the capital Ankara, with explosions and gunshots heard outside the building.
Pictures from the scene show a fireball erupting and a large plume of smoke rising near the entrance, with substantial damage done to structures outside the building.
Unconfirmed reports in local media have suggested that a suicide bomber targeted the entrance gate before several attackers clashed with security services.
CCTV footage shows heavily armed attackers, one of whom is believed to be a woman, entering the facility as staff take cover behind tables.
Special forces troops as well as firefighters and medical teams were dispatched to the scene. The number of casualties is not yet known.
Footage from the building released by Turkish broadcasters shows an armed man entering the building
One of the attackers who stormed the building appears to be a woman
The attackers are seen by an abandoned car near the entrance of the defence manufacturer building
People are seen taking shelter inside the building
Smoke rises as security forces, firefighters, and paramedics are dispatched to Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) facilities after explosions and gunshots were reported
Pictures from the scene show a fireball erupting and a large plume of smoke rising near the entrance
A man armed with an assault rifle climbs over a turnstyle at the entrance to the building
Haunting pictures show gunmen holding assault rifles at the turnstyles of the company building.
A number bodies can be seen lying on the ground outside the building in pictures from the scene.
Witnesses said that employees inside the building were taken by authorities to shelters and no one was permitted to leave.
They said bombings may have taken place at different exits as employees were leaving work for the day.
Local news outlet NTV has suggested that personnel at the complex may have been taken hostage by the terrorists.
Relatives of employees still inside the building are anxiously waiting for news about their loved ones, with details of the attack and the number of casualties still unclear.
The fate of the attackers is also not yet known. Pictures have circulated appearing to show their weapons on the ground following clashes with security forces.
It is not clear who was behind the attack. Kurdish militants, the so-called Islamic State group and leftist extremists have carried out attacks in the country in the past.
NTV said a group of assailants arrived at an entry to the complex in a taxi during a changing of security personnel.
Relatives of employees watch on following an attack on October 23, 2024 in Ankara, Turkey
Video from the scene showed flames and a plume of smoke rising after explosions were reportedly heard
Police stand guard at the road leading to the Turkish Aerospace Industries facility following the attack
A helicopter circles overhead as emergency services respond to the attack in Ankara
Mansur Yavas, the mayor of Ankara, said in a statement: ‘I am deeply saddened by the conflict and terrorist attack that occurred at the TAI facility in Ankara.
‘I wish God’s mercy upon our martyrs and a speedy recovery to our wounded. We condemn terrorism.’
TUSAS is one of Turkey’s most important defence and aviation companies.
It produces KAAN, the country’s first national combat aircraft, among other projects, and has over 10,000 employees.
According to Turkish media, the company has recently developed attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other aircraft.
