The UAE's Attorney General, Hamad Saif Al-Shamisi, announced that investigations revealed the co-pilot of a FlyDubai flight had planned to carry out a terrorist act. The co-pilot, who was identified as Omani national Hamam Al-Hammadi, had attempted to execute his plan during the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Al-Shamisi stated that Al-Hammadi had attacked the captain of the plane with an emergency axe and tried to take control of the aircraft's controls.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, and the flight, which had 172 passengers on board, including 166 Israelis, was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. According to reports, Al-Hammadi had been banned from flying in Oman due to suspicions of holding extremist views. The Omani national had previously worked for Oman Air before joining FlyDubai.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a "jihadist terrorist attack" and stated that Al-Hammadi had undergone "Islamic extremist indoctrination." Netanyahu vowed that those responsible for the attack would be held accountable. The Israeli government also confirmed that Israeli investigators would be participating in the investigation alongside UAE authorities.
The UAE authorities have confirmed that they are working to uncover all aspects of the incident, including any potential links to terrorist organizations. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining evidence and interviewing witnesses. The UAE government has vowed to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its citizens and those traveling through the country.
US President Donald Trump warned that if Iran was found to be involved in the incident, it would face severe consequences. Trump stated that he believed Iran was likely involved, but did not provide any evidence to support his claim. The incident has raised concerns about the potential for terrorist attacks on civilian aircraft.
The incident has also raised questions about the security measures in place for flights between the UAE and Israel. The Israeli government has announced that it will be working with UAE authorities to enhance security protocols for flights between the two countries. The incident has also led to a significant increase in security measures at airports in both countries.
FlyDubai has suspended its flights to Israel until further notice, and Israeli airline El Al has announced that it will be operating special flights to repatriate Israeli citizens stranded in Dubai. The incident has had a significant impact on the aviation industry, with many flights being delayed or canceled.
Key points
- The UAE is investigating the incident and working with Israeli authorities to determine the motives behind the attempted terrorist act.
- The co-pilot, Hamam Al-Hammadi, had been banned from flying in Oman due to suspicions of holding extremist views.
- The incident has raised concerns about the potential for terrorist attacks on civilian aircraft and the need for enhanced security measures.
