UAE Investigates Possible Terror Link After Flydubai Pilot Stabbing in Most Dangerous Countries
UAE authorities are investigating whether a cockpit stabbing aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Israel that forced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia was linked to terrorist activity, as separate counter-terrorism arrests occurred in the UK over a suspected plot at a US air base and in Texas over a planned attack on the state capitol in most dangerous countries.
UAE Launches Terror Probe Into Flydubai Cockpit Attack
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi formed a team to probe the midair altercation between pilots on Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, examining motives and any terrorist intent or planning. [1] Investigators will probe whether the incident was linked to any terrorist activity or intent. [1] The United Arab Emirates’ chief prosecutor has launched an investigation into the cockpit fight on board a Flydubai flight to Israel, which forced the plane to be diverted and land in Saudi Arabia. [1] Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has formed a team of public prosecutors to investigate the midair altercation between the two pilots on board Flydubai flight FZ1073, Emirati state news agency WAM reported. [1] Investigators will examine the circumstances and motives behind the incident, and whether it was linked to any terrorist activity or intent or involved prior planning or direction. [1] Al Shamsi said UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction over the incident because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies under its flag, adding that UAE law applies to crimes committed on board even if they occur outside the country’s territory. [1] Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he spoke with the UAE’s president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who agreed that Israel would join the interrogation of the suspect. [1] The flight was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv on Wednesday before being diverted and landing safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. [1]
Passengers and Pilot Subdue Attacker Mid-Flight
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited the stabbed Indian pilot Smit Machchhar and passengers, including Yaniv Chayon, with preventing a crash after they subdued the co-pilot; the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, despite rudder damage. [1] Netanyahu has credited the Flydubai pilot, Indian national Smit Machchhar, as well as passengers, with averting catastrophe, after a co-pilot allegedly stabbed him and tried to crash the plane. [1] India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Captain Machchhar has been moved to Abu Dhabi for continued treatment after initial care at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. [1] India’s ambassador to the UAE paid a visit to the captain and his family. [1] Israeli passengers on the aircraft carrying 174 people described how the injured Indian captain managed to open the cockpit door to let them in before they wrestled with the co-pilot and stabilised the plane during a descent so sharp that the rudder of the jet was ripped off. [1] “We felt helpless, suspended in midair, and I didn’t know who to turn to. But it was all instinct to survive,” one of the responders, Asaf Rajuan, said in a new statement shared by Israel’s presidency. [1] Israel’s foreign ministry said the people on board were from Israel, India and the UAE. [1] The US State Department said four passengers had US citizenship. [1] Netanyahu is praising Yaniv Chayon, the heroic passenger who tackled a knife-wielding attacker inside an airborne cockpit, preventing another 9/11. [5] Chayon suffered bloody slash wounds while wrestling the hijack suspect to the floor mid-flight, saving dozens of lives. [5] Netanyahu personally hailed his extraordinary courage after the terrifying high-altitude nightmare. [5] Netanyahu is praising Yaniv Chayon on Hannity, describing the actions of the young man who subdued a berserk pilot. [5]
UK Arrests Dual National in RAF Fairford Terror Inquiry
British counter-terrorism police arrested a 27-year-old dual UK-Iranian national in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts linked to an incident at RAF Fairford, a US base used for missions against Iran; five other men arrested earlier were released on bail. [2] A dual British-Iranian national has been arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts linked to the suspected plot involving RAF Fairford. [2] British counter-terrorism police investigating a suspected plot involving an air base used by the US to target Iran said on Thursday they had arrested a dual UK-Iranian national on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. [2] In an incident which triggered a huge police response, raised alarm among Western allies, and remains largely unexplained, five British men in their 20s were arrested on Sunday on suspected terrorism and explosive offences near RAF Fairford in western England. [2] The men were later released without charge on police bail. [2] Counter-terrorism police said they were considering whether a foreign state had been involved in the incident and Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Wednesday it might have had an Iranian link. [2] Iran has said accusations it was involved were baseless and on Thursday summoned the British ambassador in Tehran over the issue. [2] In the latest development, police said they had arrested the 27-year-old dual national in London while a second British man, 26, had also been questioned under caution and searches carried out at two properties. [2] The investigation into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of enquiry, Britain's Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Vicki Evans, said in a statement. [2] As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement. [2] Police launched a massive operation in the early hours of Sunday due to a range of information including an alert from a local farmer who became suspicious of the men who she had seen near the base in three vans. [2] The Times newspaper reported that one of the men had also called emergency services shortly before being arrested. [2] Detectives have confirmed that although petrol was found in the vans used by the men, no improvised explosive device was present. [2] Burnham said Britain was working closely with the US, whose bombers have in recent months used Fairford to launch missions against Iran, although US President Donald Trump said he would not have released the men, who police said were only freed under stringent conditions. [2] Trump previously said those involved had planned big damage while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also pointed to the hands of a foreign actor in the incident. [2]
FBI Custody for Texas Capitol Attack Suspect
FBI took Benny Caldera Jr., 40, of Converse, Texas, into custody over an alleged plan to carry out a violent attack on the Texas Capitol, with authorities increasing security and probing possible additional involvement. [3] A San Antonio-area man accused of planning a violent attack on the Texas Capitol remains in federal custody Thursday as authorities increase security at the statehouse and investigate whether others were involved. [3] Benny Caldera Jr., 40, of Converse, was first arrested about. [3]
International Reactions and Flight Suspensions
The Flydubai incident involved 174 passengers from Israel, India, the UAE and the US; Israel will join the UAE interrogation, and the airline has suspended flights to and from Israel. [1] Flydubai has said its flights to and from Israel would be suspended. [1] Netanyahu has credited the Flydubai pilot, Indian national Smit Machchhar, as well as passengers, with averting catastrophe. [1] British counter-terrorism police said on Thursday they had arrested a dual UK-Iranian national on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. [2]
What to watch next: Investigators will continue to examine the circumstances and motives behind the Flydubai incident while British police interrogate multiple lines of enquiry in the Gloucestershire events and US authorities probe whether others were involved in the Texas case.
