The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is investigating a foiled attack on a FlyDubai plane that was headed to Israel. The incident occurred on Wednesday, when the co-pilot, identified as Hamam Al-Hammadi, attempted to take control of the plane using an emergency axe. The pilot, an Indian national, was injured but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to subdue the co-pilot. The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
According to UAE's Public Prosecutor, Hamad Saif Al-Shamisi, investigations revealed that the co-pilot had planned to carry out a terrorist act. The probe is ongoing to uncover the motives behind the attack, as well as any potential links to extremist groups. Authorities are examining digital and physical evidence, with results to be announced once investigations are complete. The incident has raised concerns about aviation security and the potential for radicalization among airline staff.
The co-pilot, an Omani national, had previously been barred from flying in Oman due to suspicions of holding extremist views. Reports suggest that Al-Hammadi had been influenced by radical Islamic groups during a trip to Syria. He had previously worked for Oman Air before joining FlyDubai. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a "jihadist terrorist attack" and accused the co-pilot of undergoing "Islamic radicalization".
The incident has sparked a diplomatic response, with Israeli officials participating in the investigation alongside UAE authorities. Netanyahu warned that any party found to be involved in the attack would face "a very high price". US President Donald Trump also weighed in, suggesting that Iran may have been involved and vowing a "very strong" response if proven. However, no concrete evidence has been presented to support these claims.
In the aftermath of the incident, FlyDubai suspended its flights to Israel, leaving hundreds of Israeli citizens stranded in Dubai. An Israeli airline, Arkia, operated a repatriation flight on Saturday, bringing passengers back to Israel. The incident has strained relations between Israel and the UAE, which had recently normalized ties.
The UAE and Israel have both expressed concerns about the potential for extremist groups to target civilian aviation. The incident has highlighted the need for enhanced security measures and cooperation between countries to prevent similar attacks in the future. An investigation by Israeli and UAE authorities is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The incident serves as a reminder of the complex security landscape in the Middle East, where tensions between countries and extremist groups pose a threat to regional stability. As investigations continue, authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the foiled attack and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Key points
- UAE investigates foiled plane attack, blames co-pilot's radicalization
- Incident sparks diplomatic response from Israel and US
- FlyDubai suspends flights to Israel amid security concerns
