UAE Says FlyDubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Crash Into Tel Aviv Airport Terminal
Foiled Aircraft Attack on Ben Gurion Airport
A FlyDubai co-pilot planned a suicide attack by crashing a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight into the passenger terminal at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, according to an investigation by UAE authorities that also uncovered his inspiration from the 9/11 attacks. [4] The 29-year-old Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, attacked the captain with an axe on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight on 30 September, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. [3] UAE investigators determined the co-pilot intended to seize control of the aircraft and crash it into Ben Gurion Airport's passenger terminal to kill as many people as possible. [4] The co-pilot had used two prior flights to Tel Aviv to familiarize himself with the route and airport as part of his preparations. [3] The incident required the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the second pilot went to axe attack against the captain in the cockpit. [3] According to the investigation, the plan was to take control of the plane and use it to carry out a suicide attack against the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. [3] The goal was stated as killing as many people as possible. [3] The UAE attorney general stated that the 29-year-old Omani national intended to seize control of the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal. [4]
Co-Pilot's Radicalization Path
Signs of radicalization first appeared in 2017 while he was studying in Australia, where he consumed takfiri ideology, extremist literature, and online content glorifying terrorist organizations and suicide attacks. [3] The first signs that he was moving toward extremism and terrorism arose in 2017 while he studied in Australia. [3] During this period he was influenced by so-called takfiri ideology through reading extremist literature and following online content that glorified terrorist organizations and suicide attacks. [3] This influence later developed into him joining ideas that promoted violence and terrorism. [3] The findings of the investigators show that the first signs of him moving in the direction of extremism and terrorism occurred in 2017 while he was studying in Australia. [3] In this period he was affected by takfiri ideology by reading extremist literature and following content on the net that glorified terror organizations and suicide attacks. [3] This influence later developed so that he joined ideas that promoted violence and terrorism. [3]
UAE authorities identified FlyDubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami as the suspect in the foiled Ben Gurion Airport suicide attack plot. — Source: vg
9/11 Inspiration and Pilot Career Choice
He cited the 9/11 attacks as inspiration for both becoming a pilot and planning a similar aircraft-based attack, and he prepared mentally and physically by consuming more terrorist material and training in boxing. [3] Alleged Flydubai hijacker said 9/11 attacks spurred him to become a pilot, early investigation finds. [2] He also drew inspiration from the terror attacks of 11 September 2001, and the idea of carrying out a similar attack using an aircraft had taken hold with him. [3] According to his own confession, this was connected with his decision to pursue a career in aviation. [3] He also explained that he prepared both mentally and physically to carry out the plan. [3] This he did by seeking out more and more material that promoted terrorism, while training boxing with a personal trainer. [3] The alleged Flydubai hijacker said 9/11 attacks spurred him to become a pilot according to early investigation findings. [2]
Evidence of Premeditation
The co-pilot had used two prior flights to Tel Aviv to familiarize himself with the route and airport as part of his preparations. [3] The investigation has revealed that the second pilot had begun to carry out a planned terror attack. [3] The investigation shows that it was a planned terror attack against Ben Gurion Airport. [3] The second pilot is said to have been inspired by the 9/11 attacks and extreme ideologies. [3] The investigation has uncovered that the suspect used two previous flights to Tel Aviv to familiarize himself with the flight route and the airport as part of the preparations. [3] The findings of the investigators show that the first signs of him moving in the direction of extremism and terrorism occurred in 2017 while he was studying in Australia. [3] He also drew inspiration from the terror attacks of 11 September 2001, and the idea of carrying out a similar attack using an aircraft had taken hold with him. [3]
UAE investigators identified FlyDubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami as planner of foiled suicide attack on Ben Gurion Airport. — Source: anadolu
Counter-Terrorism Actions in Nigeria
In separate operations, Nigerian troops arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator in Kaduna who admitted to recording a video of a sexually assaulted female kidnap victim to aid a ransom demand, destroyed three IEDs in Zamfara, and recovered 73 rustled livestock. [1] Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator in Kaduna State, destroyed three improvised explosive devices in Zamfara State and recovered 73 livestock abandoned by fleeing terrorists. [1] The operations were conducted on Thursday, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja. [1] Danja said troops of Sector 1, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a suspect, Yusuf Adamu, at Kuyello in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. [1] He said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspect allegedly participated in terrorist activities, including recording a video of a female kidnap victim who was allegedly sexually assaulted by terrorists to facilitate a ransom demand. [1] During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted to involvement in terrorist activities, including recording a video of a female kidnap victim who was allegedly sexually assaulted by terrorists to facilitate a ransom demand. [1] The suspect further alleged that the victim was subsequently killed after the ransom was delivered and that he received ₦50,000 for his role in the operation. [1] In a related development, troops of Sector 2, working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, destroyed three IEDs planted by terrorists along the Magami–Dansadau road in Zamfara State. [1] The explosives were located and destroyed during a joint operation conducted on Thursday. [1] In another operation, troops recovered 73 livestock allegedly rustled by terrorists between Kombo and Gurusu villages in Zamfara State. [1] The recovered animals comprised 14 camels, 19 cows and 40 sheep. [1]
Broader Implications for Aviation and Regional Security
The UAE attorney general's statements on the planned suicide attack and the Nigerian operations illustrate ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist support networks and explosive threats in different global theaters. [1] [4] The military said the operations demonstrated its commitment to dismantling terrorist support networks, eliminating explosive threats and protecting lives and property across the North-West. [1] It urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information about suspicious persons, movements and objects to the nearest security formation to support ongoing military operations. [1] The successful clearance operation had elicited positive reactions from residents and road users, who were expected to benefit from improved safety and freedom of movement along the route. [1] The military spokesman said investigations were ongoing to apprehend the alleged principal suspect, identified as Yusuf Iliya Sani, and other collaborators. [1] Troops swiftly deployed to the location and engaged the suspected terrorists, forcing them to flee and abandon the livestock. [1] The troops, working alongside local vigilantes, moved the recovered animals to a secure location for further action. [1]
What to watch next: Further updates on the ongoing Nigerian investigations into the alleged principal suspect Yusuf Iliya Sani and other collaborators, as well as continued military operations to address explosive threats and livestock rustling in the North-West region.
