UAE Labels FlyDubai Attack on 180-Passenger Flight Terrorism as Probe Examines Possible Direction
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 2
UAE Labels FlyDubai Attack on 180-Passenger Flight Terrorism as Probe Examines Possible Direction
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 2
Summary
Anwar Gargash, a senior adviser to the UAE president, called the FlyDubai cockpit attack a “dangerous and potentially catastrophic act of terrorism,” the first public UAE characterization of the incident in those terms.
Authorities say the Omani co-pilot stabbed captain Smit Machchhar on a flight bound for Israel before passengers and other pilots intervened, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Investigators are now focused on motive and whether the suspect acted alone; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said officials are checking whether “he was sent.”
About 180 passengers were aboard the aircraft, and no link to Iran has been established, despite earlier comments from President Donald Trump that Tehran’s involvement remained under investigation.