ANKARA: In response to a terrorist attack in the Turkish capital, Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) launched operations targeting the PKK/YPG in northern Syria and Iraq, according to security sources.
The coordinated strikes followed an attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities in Ankara that left five people dead and 22 others injured.
The assault on TAI’s headquarters in Ankara’s Kahramankazan district on Wednesday was carried out by two terrorists, who were neutralized by Turkish security forces.
The victims included TAI employees, a taxi driver, and a security guard. According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was behind the attack, with Defence Minister Yasar Guler reiterating Türkiye’s commitment to pursue the group “until the last terrorist is eliminated.”
The operation by Turkish intelligence targeted key infrastructure used by the PKK/YPG, including energy facilities, logistics hubs, and ammunition depots in both northern Syria and Iraq.
MIT vowed to continue its efforts until all strategic objectives are met, emphasizing the importance of dismantling the terrorist group’s operational capacity.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the attack on TAI, stating, “I condemn this heinous attack on the Turkish Aerospace Industries,” and reiterated the nation’s resolve in its counterterrorism efforts.
The attack occurred a day after Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), hinted at a potential conditional parole for PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, a controversial figure who has led the group’s decades-long insurgency against Türkiye.
International condemnation of the Ankara attack was swift. European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell expressed solidarity with Türkiye, affirming the EU’s stance against terrorism in all its forms.
European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, echoed similar sentiments, while the Iraqi embassy in Ankara condemned the attack, reiterating its stance against extremism.
Iraq had earlier banned the PKK from operating within its borders, underscoring the delicate regional dynamics.
The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye and its Western allies, has waged a violent campaign for autonomy in southeastern Türkiye since the 1980s.
The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Türkiye frequently targets PKK fighters in cross-border operations, with regular airstrikes in Iraq and Syria aimed at dismantling the group’s operations.
TAI, the target of Wednesday’s attack, plays a crucial role in Türkiye’s defense industry, manufacturing military and civilian aircraft, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These UAVs have been instrumental in Türkiye’s military operations, particularly in counterinsurgency efforts against Kurdish forces.
Wednesday’s attack highlights the ongoing tensions between Türkiye and Kurdish insurgent groups, even as some political factions in Türkiye express interest in potential dialogues for peace.
However, as violence continues, analysts question whether there is any room left for negotiations.
Türkiye’s swift response to the Ankara terrorist attack, with intelligence-led strikes against PKK/YPG targets in northern Syria and Iraq, underscores the nation’s determination to combat terrorism.
As Turkish forces intensify their efforts to neutralize the PKK, the incident also raises questions about the broader implications for regional security and peace prospects.
