Al-Qaeda Praises Flydubai Attack, Urges Strikes on US, Israeli Flights

By Thetripurapost Desk, Tel Aviv
Oct 04, 2026
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A pro-Al-Qaeda publication has reportedly called for further attacks against aircraft carrying Americans, Israelis and nationals of countries it considers hostile, days after the dramatic cockpit assault aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv.

The development has intensified international concern over the September 30 Flydubai Flight FZ1073 incident, in which Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit and attempted to take control of the aircraft.

According to reports cited by India Today and the New York Post, the Arabic-language publication Al-Bayan referenced both the Flydubai incident and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks while encouraging further attacks against aircraft.

The reported message has emerged as investigators continue to examine al-Hammami's background, possible extremist connections and the circumstances that allowed him to operate as a co-pilot despite earlier concerns reportedly raised during his aviation career.

Al-Qaeda-linked Publication References 9/11 and Flydubai Attack

The latest edition of Al-Bayan, described in reports as a pro-Al-Qaeda publication, reportedly used the September 30 Flydubai incident as part of a wider propaganda message.

The publication allegedly argued that aircraft carrying Americans, Israelis and people from countries it regards as opponents remain potential targets.

Its message reportedly invoked the 9/11 attacks in the United States and referred to the Flydubai cockpit assault as another example.

Images accompanying the material reportedly included a photograph associated with the September 11 attacks on New York's World Trade Center as well as imagery connected to the Flydubai incident.

The publication also reportedly portrayed the United States and Israel as facing an increasing number of adversaries and used highly inflammatory language against the United States.

The reported call is particularly significant because it appeared only days after the Flydubai incident, which has already triggered a multinational investigation into aviation security and possible terrorist motivations.

What Happened on Flydubai Flight FZ1073?

Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when an emergency unfolded inside the cockpit.

The UAE later confirmed that its investigation had found the co-pilot attempted to carry out what authorities described as a terrorist act. UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft's flight controls.

The aircraft was subsequently diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier accounts from Israeli officials and other reports said the confrontation caused the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly. Flight-tracking data indicated a dramatic descent while the aircraft was over Saudi Arabia.

The crisis was eventually contained after the injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, enabling crew members and passengers to intervene. A reserve Flydubai pilot who was travelling on the aircraft subsequently helped bring the aircraft under control and land it safely.

Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Praised for Saving Passengers

Indian Captain Smit Machchhar has been widely praised for his actions during the emergency.

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority specifically commended Machchhar, the flight crew and passengers for their courage and swift response during the incident. The authority said their intervention helped prevent more serious consequences.

Machchhar has also received public recognition from Indian and Israeli leaders after surviving the attack.

His actions have become one of the central aspects of the investigation because the aircraft was carrying 174 people, and the situation could have ended in a major aviation disaster had control not been regained.

Who Is Hamam al-Hammami?

Hamam al-Hammami, identified by multiple reports as an Omani national, is the co-pilot accused of attacking Machchhar.

Investigators are examining his professional background, online activity and previous employment in the aviation sector.

Reports indicate that he previously worked for Oman Air and later for Royal Air Maroc before joining Flydubai. He reportedly joined the UAE-based airline approximately eight months before the September 30 incident.

His earlier career has become a major focus of the investigation because reports have alleged that concerns about his views had previously emerged while he was working in Oman.

Questions Over Previous Security Concerns

One of the most important questions emerging from the case is how al-Hammami was able to return to a cockpit position if concerns had previously been raised about him.

According to reports, Omani authorities had reportedly removed him from flying duties following concerns over alleged extremist views and subsequently assigned him administrative responsibilities.

Those reports have not been fully substantiated publicly by all the organisations involved, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Nevertheless, the allegations have raised broader questions about pilot background checks, aviation security screening and information-sharing between airlines and national authorities.

The central issue for investigators is whether information from his previous employment was available to Flydubai during its recruitment and vetting process.

Social Media Activity Under Investigation

Authorities are also examining material reportedly associated with al-Hammami's social-media accounts.

Media reports have said that investigators found extremist-related material and images connected to Al-Qaeda figures, including Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Other reports have examined deleted social-media posts allegedly linked to the pilot, including material concerning religion, women and mixed-gender workplaces.

However, investigators are still working to establish what these materials demonstrate about his intentions, ideological affiliations and the planning of the September 30 attack.

The UAE Attorney-General has said investigators are examining the incident's circumstances, motives and any related connections, alongside physical and digital evidence.

Was the Flydubai Attack Linked to a Wider Terror Network?

This remains one of the key unanswered questions.

The UAE has officially classified the incident as an attempted terrorist act, but authorities are continuing to investigate whether the suspect acted alone or had assistance, direction or connections to an extremist organisation.

A Gulf diplomatic source cited by the Associated Press said investigators were examining whether the suspect was a lone actor or had links to extremist groups.

The emergence of the Al-Qaeda-linked publication's reported message has added another dimension to the investigation, although the publication's statements alone do not establish a direct operational connection between the organisation and the Flydubai incident.

Aviation Security Concerns Grow After Flydubai FZ1073 Incident

The case has moved beyond the actions of one pilot and raised broader concerns for the international aviation industry.

Questions are being examined over:

How pilots with previous security concerns are assessed when changing airlines
Whether aviation authorities share relevant background information internationally
How cockpit security protocols respond to attacks from crew members
How airlines assess ideological or behavioural warning signs
Whether additional safeguards are needed for pilots operating sensitive international routes

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has urged the public to rely on official information and avoid speculation while the investigation continues.

Investigation Continues Into Flydubai Terror Incident

The Flydubai FZ1073 investigation is now being followed by authorities in several countries, with the UAE leading the criminal investigation.

The UAE Attorney-General has said investigators will establish the full circumstances, determine the motive and examine possible connections before announcing final findings.

For now, the case has two distinct but interconnected dimensions: the extraordinary survival of an aircraft carrying 174 people after an alleged cockpit attack, and the subsequent reported Al-Qaeda-linked propaganda calling for similar attacks.

The most significant unanswered question remains whether the September 30 incident was the action of an individual acting alone or part of a wider extremist plot.

Until investigators complete their work, claims about the suspect's precise motives, organisational links or advance planning should be treated with caution.

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