Flydubai attacker began a 'drift towards extremism and terrorism' in Australia, UAE says

United Arab Emirates authorities have reported that the Omani co-pilot who attacked a Flydubai flight last month intended to crash the aircraft into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport in a suicide mission. The UAE Attorney-General, Hamad Saif al-Shamsi, stated that investigations revealed the pilot began a 'drift towards extremism' while studying in Australia around 2017, influenced by al-Qaeda and takfiri ideology. While the pilot passed standard security checks for employment, regional reports suggest he had previously been reassigned to an administrative role at Oman Air due to his views. The flight, carrying over 170 people, eventually landed safely in Saudi Arabia after the attacker was overpowered.

United Arab Emirates authorities have reported that the Omani co-pilot who attacked a Flydubai flight last month intended to crash the aircraft into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport in a suicide mission. The UAE Attorney-General, Hamad Saif al-Shamsi, stated that investigations revealed the pilot began a 'drift towards extremism' while studying in Australia around 2017, influenced by al-Qaeda and takfiri ideology. While the pilot passed standard security checks for employment, regional reports suggest he had previously been reassigned to an administrative role at Oman Air due to his views. The flight, carrying over 170 people, eventually landed safely in Saudi Arabia after the attacker was overpowered.