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Al Qaeda-linked images appeared on the social media of the Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain mid-flight, a report has claimed.
Al Qaeda-Linked Images Found On Flydubai Suspect’s Social Media, A Report Claims (Photo: Reuters)
Fresh details have emerged about the Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Tel Aviv-bound flight, with CNN reporting that images of two figures linked to Al Qaeda appeared on the suspect’s social media.
According to CNN, a video posted on an account associated with the pilot ended with photographs of Ayman al-Zawahiri, who led Al Qaeda after the death of Osama bin Laden, and Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, who carried out a 2009 suicide bombing that killed nine people, including seven American CIA officers and contractors.
CNN reported that al-Balawi was loyal to Al Qaeda.
The report adds another layer to the investigation into the September 30 incident involving the Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The co-pilot was identified by sources cited by CNN as Omani citizen Hamam al-Hammami.
The report mentioned that he had previously been removed from flight training at Oman’s national airline following concerns over what sources described as extremist or radical views.
Al Qaeda-Linked Images In Video, Report Claims
CNN reported that one of the videos associated with al-Hammami showed footage from an aircraft cockpit, with the flight number and date visible on the cockpit display.
Other portions of the video showed aircraft belonging to Israeli airlines.
The video then ended with the photographs of al-Zawahiri and al-Balawi, according to CNN.
The report said al-Zawahiri became Al Qaeda’s leader following bin Laden’s death, while al-Balawi was responsible for the 2009 suicide bombing that killed nine people, including seven CIA officers and contractors.
The report also mentioned that another post featured an AI-generated image depicting Islam’s three holiest sites in Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem.
A poem accompanying the image spoke of rejecting humiliation, not fearing death and defending one’s dignity.
The social media accounts have since been deleted, the report mentioned.
Co-Pilot Was Previously Barred From Flying In Oman
The revelations come as investigators examine the suspect’s background and how he was subsequently able to work as a pilot for Flydubai.
The Associated Press reported that the co-pilot had previously been barred from flying by Oman over concerns that he had adopted extremist views.
A person familiar with the matter told AP that he was subsequently hired by the UAE-based airline.
The person spoke anonymously because of the ongoing investigation.
AP also reported that it was not immediately clear how extensively he was vetted when he was hired in the UAE.
AP reported that Oman’s decision to bar him from flying was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radicalisation,” although AP noted that Netanyahu has not provided evidence to support that assertion.
Netanyahu also said investigators were examining whether the suspect had been sent by someone else.
Flydubai Flight Plunged During Cockpit Attack
The incident occurred aboard a Boeing 737 carrying 182 people, including 174 passengers and eight crew members, according to AP.
The aircraft was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the first signs of trouble emerged more than two hours into the flight.
AP reported that the aircraft suddenly dropped to 16,600 feet, followed by an ascent to 21,725 feet before it descended again and remained at around 15,000 feet until landing safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured during the cockpit attack but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and restrain the co-pilot.
Passengers reportedly bound the suspect’s hands with headphones, while the wounded captain was attended to by a dentist who was among those aboard the flight.
AP reported that passengers at the front of the aircraft did not see a knife or other weapon.
Machhar is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital.
During a televised video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he described the attack and said, “I was fighting for my life.”
AP reported that the captain broke down in tears while recounting the ordeal.
Quick Answers
Ask News18According to CNN, a video posted on an account associated with co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami ended with photographs of Ayman al-Zawahiri, who led Al Qaeda after Osama bin Laden’s death, and Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, who carried out a 2009 suicide bombing that killed nine people.
Ask News18About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
October 03, 2026, 09:53 IST
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