Turkey launches air strikes in Iraq and Syria

Following an assault on the headquarters of Turkey’s aviation business TUSAS that left five people dead and over a dozen injured, Turkey’s air force on Wednesday targeted Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria.

According to a short statement from Turkey’s defense ministry, the aerial attack “destroyed” around 30 targets.

The security forces also eliminated two terrorists.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced what he called a “heinous terrorist attack” and verified the death toll.

At first, images from local media showed the site in Kahramankazan, a tiny town about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Ankara, with flames and huge smoke plumes.As they entered the building, the attackers were seen with bags and assault guns.

NTV, a private television network, reported gunfire after the explosion, which happened at about 4:00 pm (1300 GMT), while news agency AFP, quoting Haberturk TV, said that there was a continuing “hostage situation” without giving any more information.

There has been no quick assertion of accountability for the assault. Later this week, Ukraine’s senior ambassador traveled to Istanbul for a significant military and aerospace trade show, which coincided with the explosion.

TUSAS, the targeted corporation, is a major player in Turkey’s aviation and military sectors. It employs more than 10,000 people and manufactures KAAN, the nation’s first national combat aircraft, among other programs.