OPINION: The TAI attack: Asymmetric threats and Türkiye's determination to fight terrorism

- By attacking TAI, the perpetrators aimed to damage both its strategic role in national defense and its symbolic importance in representing Türkiye's technological advancements

A recent terrorist attack on a facility of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in Türkiye's capital Ankara had a dual purpose. Its perpetrators sought to disrupt efforts to foster national unity, while also mounting a strategic attack to weaken the country's defense industry. This despicable act, believed to be carried out by the terrorist organization PKK, highlights the asymmetric character of terrorism, which tends to target symbolic assets. As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan have emphasized, such incidents will only reinforce the country's determination in its ongoing fight against terrorism.

- Asymmetric threats and strategic targeting

The choice to target TAI also underscores the mercurial nature of terrorist tactics. Significantly depleted in Türkiye and lacking the ability to strike well-defended targets like military installations, terrorist groups have now shifted their focus to attacking locations of high symbolic value, indicating a distinct evolution in their tactics. An analysis of the timing, symbolism, and strategic reasoning behind these targeted attacks sheds light on broader objectives. This also facilitates a more effective assessment of the asymmetric threat posed by terrorism and the context in which terror groups operate.

Türkiye now boasts a thriving defense industry sector with over 3,500 companies and a workforce of 90,000 people. TAI symbolizes Türkiye's growing capabilities in sophisticated defense technology and industrial self-sufficiency. Among its key defense projects is the National Combat Aircraft KAAN, which signifies a pivotal move toward establishing Türkiye as one of the select few countries capable of designing and manufacturing fighter jets. Upon completion, KAAN will position Türkiye among the elite nations worldwide that can produce fifth-generation aircraft. This achievement alone has provoked the ire of many foreign powers.

TAI is also developing other advanced aircraft like HURJET, HURKUS, the GOKBEY helicopter, the T129 ATAK Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter, and drones such as AKSUNGUR and ANKA, along with numerous other critical air defense products. TAI's defense systems contribute actively to Turkish counterterrorism operations in northern Syria and northern Iraq, earning global recognition. As per 2023 data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly, TAI ranks 23rd among the top 1,000 exporters and holds the second position in its sector, just behind Baykar. Its international clients include nations like Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Chad, Algeria, Tunisia, and Kazakhstan.

This attack, therefore, was not random. It was a deliberate attempt to symbolically and strategically target a critical component of Türkiye's defense infrastructure. By attacking TAI, the perpetrators aimed to damage both its strategic role in national defense and its symbolic importance in representing Türkiye's technological advancements.

- Türkiye's fight against terrorism and national unity

The attack also reveals an attempt to challenge Türkiye's efforts to combat terrorism and foster national unity. Just a day before the incident, President Erdogan stated, “There is no place for terrorism or its dark shadow in Türkiye's future,” urging the political establishment, civil society, and all sectors of the nation to work together towards building a future free from terrorism. The timing of the attack appears to be a direct response to these efforts, underscoring the political motivations behind such acts.

External backers of the PKK terrorist organization, particularly those who facilitated the formation of the terrorist organization YPG in Syria under the guise of combating Daesh/ISIS, are likely concerned about Türkiye's increasing autonomy in defense matters. These actors have sought to legitimize the terrorist organization YPG by referring to them as "Syrian Kurds" or by rebranding them as the "Syrian Democratic Forces." These tactics are intended to lend credibility to efforts that portray terrorism as an inevitable social reality of the region or justify support for groups under the pretext of fighting against the Daesh/ISIS terrorist group. The ultimate aim is to make the terror corridor along Türkiye's southern border permanent, trapping the country in a cycle of unending conflict in the region. In addition, the goal is to keep Turkish politics and society preoccupied with such issues, thereby hindering efforts to strengthen national unity. By creating the impression of ethnic division, the aim is to deepen rifts and undermine social cohesion.

- Looking ahead

The recent attack on TAI exemplifies a calculated effort to disrupt Türkiye's progress in defense and undermine national unity. However, such acts of terrorism only galvanized the nation's resolve. The National Defense Ministry has responded decisively, striking 34 locations in northern Iraq and Syria with domestically produced munitions, demonstrating the might of the country's national defense. As Türkiye unites against these provocations, it must remain vigilant to foster solidarity and resilience in the face of adversity.

*The author is a researcher at TRT World Research Center.