Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv airport, UAE prosecutors say
UAE prosecutors report that an Omani Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash a flight into Tel Aviv's airport in a suicide attack inspired by 9/11.
United Arab Emirates prosecutors announced that an Omani Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash a passenger jet into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport in a suicide attack inspired by the September 11, 2001 terrorist assaults.
The suspect, identified as Hammam al-Hammami, allegedly attacked the flight's captain on September 30 while en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 182 people aboard. The captain thwarted the attempt, leading to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Investigators stated that al-Hammami began a "drift towards extremism and terrorism" while studying in Australia. UAE officials noted that previous security background checks had revealed no indications of extremist ideology prior to the incident.
Sources: The Guardian, Cyprus Mail, Sweden Herald, France24, BBC News.
Sources
- Cyprus Mail — UAE says Omani flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight
- Sweden Herald — Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned to Hijack Plane and Crash It Into Tel Aviv Airport, Investigation Says
- France24 — 🔴 FlyDubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv airport, inspired by 9/11, UAE prosecutor says
- The Guardian — Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Israeli airport, UAE prosecutors say
- BBC News — Flydubai attacker began a 'drift towards extremism and terrorism' in Australia, UAE says