Al-Qaeda Branch Hails flydubai Hijacker, Urges Attacks on US and Israeli Airliners

Key points

• AQAP praised the Omani co-pilot in its weekly publication 'Al-Bayan'.
• The editorial called for attacks on US and Israeli airlines, citing 9/11 and the flydubai incident.
• The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, attacked captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe.
• The Boeing 737 plunged 14,000 feet before being safely landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
• No public evidence links the co-pilot directly to Al-Qaeda orders, though he displayed extremist material.

Background

The flydubai incident occurred on September 30, 2026, when co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attempted to hijack Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, opened the cockpit door after being attacked with a crash axe, allowing passengers to subdue the co-pilot. The aircraft, a Boeing 737, lost nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds before a second pair of flydubai pilots landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani citizen, had previously been banned from flying over radical views and was found to have extremist material on his phone while working for Oman Air. The UAE investigation is ongoing, with authorities probing his motive and potential links to terror groups.

How outlets are covering it

NDTV reported that AQAP’s editorial in 'Al-Bayan' praised the co-pilot and called for more attacks, emphasizing the group’s claim that the hijacking could have shifted regional power dynamics. The New York Post highlighted that the editorial called for copycat attacks on US and Israeli airlines and noted that al-Hammami’s social media accounts had posted images of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and references to Humam al-Balawi, a former Al-Qaeda operative. The Post also reported that terrorism expert Evan Kohlmann suggested al-Hammami was likely not an ISIS supporter but possibly linked to Al-Qaeda. Both outlets agreed that no public evidence has established that al-Hammami acted on direct orders from Al-Qaeda, though the UAE investigation is examining potential links. The Post noted that the TSA is monitoring the situation but did not specifically address the Al-Qaeda call.

Why it matters

The Al-Qaeda editorial signals a potential escalation in terror threats against aviation, particularly targeting US and Israeli airlines. The incident underscores the vulnerability of commercial flights to hijacking attempts and the importance of cockpit security measures. The UAE investigation into al-Hammami’s motive and links to terror groups could reveal broader networks of radicalization. The TSA’s monitoring of the situation indicates heightened security concerns in the aviation industry. The case also highlights the role of social media in radicalization and the need for stricter vetting of airline employees.

What to watch

The UAE investigation into Hamam al-Hammami is ongoing, with authorities probing his motive, possible links to terror groups, and digital evidence. The TSA is monitoring the situation and coordinating with international partners to assess available information. Al-Qaeda’s call for copycat attacks may lead to increased security measures at airports and on flights, particularly those targeting US and Israeli airlines. The investigation may also reveal whether al-Hammami had outside links or direction from Al-Qaeda, which could impact future counter-terrorism efforts.