Chilling CCTV footage has shown the moment male and female terrorists stormed the headquarters of a defence company in Turkey, leaving at least four people dead and 14 injured.
Three attackers wielding rifles launched an assault on the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) near the capital Ankara at around 4pm local time (1300 GMT).
Two of the terrorists have since been neutralised while another is still at large, according to Turkey’s interior minister. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed the number of victims and condemned the ‘heinous’ attack.
Explosions and gunshots were heard outside the building, with pictures from the scene showing a fireball erupting and a large plume of smoke rising near the front of the complex.
Unconfirmed reports in local media have suggested that a suicide bomber targeted the entrance gate before attackers clashed with security services.
CCTV footage shows heavily armed attackers, one of whom is believed to be a woman, entering the facility as terrified staff take cover behind tables.
Turkish special forces were dispatched to the scene, with video showing dozens of soldiers heading to the site. Firefighters, medics and a helicopter were also dispatched.
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, ISIS 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.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
