Iran, Iraq condemn terrorist attack in Türkiye

TEHRAN/BAGHDAD

Iran and Iraq condemned a terrorist attack Wednesday in the Turkish capital Ankara on the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) that left five people dead and 22 injured.

In a statement, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei strongly condemned the attack, extending his condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the Turkish people and government.

He wished a swift recovery for the injured and emphasized Iran's opposition to all forms of terrorism, urging all countries, particularly neighboring ones, to act collectively against it.

Iraq's Foreign Ministry also issued a statement condemning the attack.

The ministry expressed solidarity with the Turkish government and people, offering its heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and wishing a quick recovery for the injured.

The statement reiterated Iraq's firm stance against all forms of violence and terrorism that threaten the security and stability of nations and highlighted the importance of intensified international efforts to combat terrorism and ensure regional security and stability.

An explosion and gunshots were heard at TAI's facilities in Ankara's Kahramankazan district.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said it is "highly likely" that the PKK terror group is responsible, adding Türkiye will share the identifications and other evidence as they become clear.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the “heinous attack" that targeted the country’s “survival, peace and defense initiatives.”

“The terrorist attack against TAI, one of the locomotive organizations of the Turkish defense industry, is a despicable attack targeting the survival of our country, the peace of our nation and our defense initiatives that are the symbol of our ideal of ‘Fully Independent Türkiye’,” Erdogan wrote on X. “From the first moment of the terrorist attack, our security forces quickly intervened and neutralized the terrorists.”

Security forces, firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the area, while TAI's personnel were directed to shelters for security reasons.

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul