What was the aim of the alleged attacker on the Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv? The investigation is still ongoing, but information is already leaking out to the public via the media.
After the incident on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, US media reported that the suspected attacker wanted to steer the plane into Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. (Archive image) Photo: Jamal Awad/dpa
Abu Dhabi. According to US media, the co-pilot of the Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv wanted to crash the plane into Israel's Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv. This is reported by the US broadcaster ABC News, among others, citing two high-ranking US officials and an Israeli source familiar with the investigation. The radio station NPR has similar information from an ongoing investigation into the incident. It is assumed that the co-pilot probably acted alone, NPR quotes a source familiar with the matter.
The US broadcaster CNN also reports that the suspected attacker was probably targeting Ben Gurion Airport. He relies on an Israeli official and an Israeli source familiar with the matter. Accordingly, the United Arab Emirates, which has initiated investigations, is keeping Israel informed about the status of the investigations. The investigation is still at an early stage. There are still unanswered questions about the alleged attacker's intentions, it said.
What is known so far about the violent act
The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv last Wednesday when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the pilot. According to Emirati information, he attacked him with a rescue axe. Despite serious injuries, the pilot was able to open the cockpit door, whereupon passengers entered and overpowered the attacker. A second crew landed the plane, which sank heavily during the attack, in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot was brought to the Emirates and, according to Israeli information, comes from Oman.
Israel and the authorities in the United Arab Emirates assume an attempted terrorist attack. The co-pilot tried to take control of the aircraft, the Emirati news agency Wam recently reported, citing the Attorney General's Office.
US media reported a few days ago that the co-pilot had been fired from his previous job at an airline in Oman due to safety concerns. The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, wrote that the man had previously been banned from flying by Oman. The reason for this was the fear that he had radical ideological views. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he was indoctrinated into Islam.
What US officials say about Iran's role
US Vice President JD Vance, when asked by a reporter about possible Iranian involvement, said it was being investigated. So far he hasn't seen anything clear about this.
When asked whether he thought Iran was responsible for the incident, US President Donald Trump said yes on Monday. He personally believes that, he told reporters.
Days ago, when asked about Iran's involvement, Trump said: "Based on what I hear, I would say yes." At the same time, he said at the time that the matter was still being investigated.
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