In a recent interview, a representative from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) stated that they were behind an attack on the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) near Ankara, resulting in the deaths of five individuals. The PKK spokesperson emphasized that the motive for the attack, which also injured 22 others, was retaliation against the production of arms that they claim have led to the deaths of “thousands” of Kurds, including women and children.
The group further detailed that this operation had been planned well in advance, countering allegations that it was a response to ongoing reconciliation discussions between the PKK and the Turkish government. TAI, a crucial supplier for Turkey’s military, particularly known for its role in supporting the F-16 fighter jets, was designated a “military target” by the PKK, which claims the right to act against what they describe as “weapons of massacre.”
Turkish authorities have labeled the perpetrators as PKK members, identifying them as Ali Orek and Mine Sevjin Alcicek. In retaliation, the Turkish government conducted air strikes targeting suspected PKK sites in Iraq and Syria, claiming to have eliminated 59 “terrorists.” However, reports from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces indicated that 12 civilians, including children, were among the casualties.
The Turkish Ministry of Defence has reported continued operations resulting in further PKK militant casualties. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack as “heinous,” asserting that no terrorist organization would succeed in undermining Turkey’s security.
The PKK has been classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the United Kingdom and has been involved in a conflict with the Turkish state since the 1980s, advocating for greater rights for the Kurdish minority. The group’s armed wing, known as the People’s Defense Forces (HPG), referred to the attackers as “heroes” from an “autonomous team” called the “Immortals Battalion.”
The leaders of the PKK have maintained that their actions are not frequent by principle, but they occasionally execute “self-sacrificing” missions to deliver messages to the Turkish government. Among the victims were named TAI employees and a taxi driver, underscoring the tragic impact of the attack.
Interestingly, just prior to this violence, there was speculation about potential ceasefire negotiations between the PKK and the Turkish government, especially after a significant ally of Erdogan suggested the possibility of releasing PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan from prison, should he disband the organization. The day following the attack, Ocalan was granted a family visit for the first time in over three years, hinting at the complexities surrounding these developments.
