Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Israeli airport, UAE prosecutors say

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1. 56m ago

   UAE Prosecutors Say Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack

   United Arab Emirates prosecutors announced that an Omani flydubai co-pilot plotted a suicide attack by attempting to crash an Israel-bound flight into Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport. The 29-year-old co-pilot, identified as Hammam al-Hammami, stabbed the captain and tried to hijack the aircraft during its third trip to Tel Aviv before passengers and crew intervened in the cockpit to regain control. The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia following the struggle, and passengers were later repatriated.

   Why it matters

   The incident highlights severe aviation security vulnerabilities and prompted international investigations, including India's National Investigation Agency filing a case under anti-hijacking laws regarding the attacked pilot, Smit Machchhar. UAE authorities stated that the co-pilot confessed to the terrorist plot and began his drift toward extremism while studying in Australia. The Israeli prime minister called the event a most serious security incident.

   What is confirmed

   • A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain and attempted to hijack an Israel-bound flight before passengers and crew intervened.
   • The United Arab Emirates top prosecutor stated that the co-pilot planned a suicide attack to crash the plane into Tel Aviv's international airport.
   • UAE prosecutors identified the co-pilot as a 29-year-old Omani national named Hammam al-Hammami and stated he confessed to the terror plot.
   • The flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia following the cockpit struggle.
   • UAE prosecutors stated that the co-pilot began his radicalisation while studying in Australia.
   • India's National Investigation Agency filed a case under anti-hijacking laws and the UAPA to probe the attack on flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Specific details regarding how the co-pilot trained for the cockpit fight beyond the initial findings released by prosecutors.

   What to watch next

   • Further disclosures from international investigations by Australian and Indian authorities regarding the co-pilot's background and radicalisation.
   • Official trial proceedings or formal charges brought against the co-pilot by prosecutors.
   Sources used for this update (27)

   1. www.cnn.com — Co-pilot on Israel-bound flight stabbed captain and tried to hijack plane, sources say
   2. www.cnn.com — What happened inside the Flydubai flight to Israel? What we ...
   3. www.cbsnews.com — What we're learning about the FlyDubai co-pilot who allegedly ...
   4. www.yahoo.com — Yahoo
   5. en.wikipedia.org — Flydubai - Wikipedia
   6. CNN — Alleged Flydubai hijacker planned ‘suicide attack’ on Tel Aviv’s airport, early investigation finds
   7. Reuters — UAE says Omani flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight
   8. The New York Times — Attacker in FlyDubai Flight Meant to Crash Into Israeli Airport, Emiratis Say
   9. The Guardian — Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Israeli airport, UAE prosecutors say
   10. english.aawsat.com — Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack on Tel Aviv Airport, Says UAE Prosecutor
   11. The Guardian — Flydubai co-pilot began radicalisation in Australia, UAE prosecutors say
   12. BBC — Flydubai attacker began a 'drift towards extremism and terrorism' in Australia, UAE says
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