US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, stating that it will face severe consequences if it is found to be involved in the attack on a flydubai flight to Israel. The incident occurred on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the plane. Trump's warning coincides with a wider US military buildup in the region, with additional Patriot missile batteries deployed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The incident has sparked an investigation into possible terrorist activity, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel working together to piece together the events. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination". The UAE chief prosecutor has confirmed that investigators will explore whether there was "terrorist activity or intent" behind the incident.
The co-pilot's actions triggered a struggle for control of the aircraft, which made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Passengers were later flown to Israel on a replacement flight. Netanyahu has praised the captain, Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, and passengers for averting catastrophe. The incident has been described as an "attempted terrorist attack" by Israeli officials.
The US military buildup in the region includes the deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and its strike group. Axios reported that the carrier strike group will join two other US carrier strike groups already in the region. The move is seen as a precautionary measure to protect key energy facilities from possible Iranian retaliation.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed Captain Machchhar as a "HERO", saying his actions had helped save lives. The Indian ambassador to the UAE visited the wounded captain, who is reportedly in "good health and recovering well". Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon described the incident, stating that the aircraft was "pretty much out of control" as the co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and carry out a suicide attack.
Flydubai has suspended flights to Israel while the investigation continues. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced plans to honour five Israelis who helped overpower the co-pilot and prevent the plane from crashing. Netanyahu has also confirmed that Israel will participate in the investigation, which will be led by the UAE.
The incident has raised concerns about the security of flights to Israel, with Netanyahu noting that there are constraints on allowing pilots from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel to work on such flights. An investigation into the co-pilot's background is underway to determine how he was cleared to work on flights to Israel.
Key points
- US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of severe consequences if it is found to be linked to the attack on a flydubai flight to Israel.
- The incident has sparked an investigation into possible terrorist activity, with the UAE and Israel working together to piece together the events.
- The US has deployed additional military assets to the region, including Patriot missile batteries and an aircraft carrier strike group.
