Turkey shuts down social media platforms after terror attack on aerospace centre

Turkey shut down major social media platforms soon after terrorists stormed the headquarters of the country's aerospace and defence company TUSAS in Ankara Wednesday.

The deadly terrorist attack, which killed five people and left over 20 people injured, was followed by a lockdown on social media platforms, including X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

NetBlocks, a global internet observatory that monitors cybersecurity and digital governance, announced the lockdown on the social media platforms in the country in a post on its X account, according to the Mirror UK.

"Confirmed: Live metrics show social media platforms including X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok have been restricted in #Turkey," wrote NetBlocks in a post on X.

"The incident comes as authorities impose a broadcast ban over today's deadly attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries' headquarters in Ankara".

However, it is unclear when this lockdown on social media platforms in Turkey will be lifted.

Eyewitnesses say a large explosion was followed by a flurry of gunfire.

A huge plume of smoke could be seen billowing into the air, with images also showing significant damage to a number of structures outside the complex.

According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, the two attackers — a man and a woman — were also killed in the attack.

While Yerlikaya did not identify those responsible for the attack, Turkey's Defence Minister Yasar Guler pointed the finger at the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).