This article is from: srnnews.com
Flydubai Flight Nearly Shot Down by Israel in Response to Suspected 9/11-Style Attack, Report Says
By The Media Line Staff
Israel prepared to shoot down flydubai Flight 1073 with its passengers aboard after the Omani co-pilot attacked the captain and the aircraft plunged sharply, prompting authorities to treat the incident as a possible 9/11-style attack, Israeli sources told CBS News.
The Israeli Air Force tried to contact the cockpit but received no response. Authorities then convened a pre-established committee, opened a command center, closed Israeli airspace and scrambled fighter jets, according to the report.
The fighters were ordered back after Israel determined that Flight 1073 was diverting toward Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing. Saudi Arabia had also scrambled fighter jets.
The disclosure came as Israeli Shin Bet interrogators traveled to the United Arab Emirates to participate in questioning Hamam al-Hammami, the Omani co-pilot who attempted to crash the flydubai flight to Tel Aviv last week. The agency approved the information for publication Monday but has otherwise declined to comment.
Al-Hammami was transferred from Saudi Arabia to UAE custody as investigators continued examining the attempted attack and whether he acted alone or received outside assistance.
Channel 12 reported that al-Hammami said his motive for attempting to crash the aircraft, which carried nearly 180 Israeli passengers, was revenge for Israel’s war against Hamas.
“I did it as revenge for Gaza. I wanted to die as a martyr,” the terrorist reportedly told investigators.
Investigators have not issued an official finding connecting Iran or any terrorist organization to the attack’s planning.
Sources briefed on the UAE investigation said al-Hammami had flown to Tel Aviv earlier this year and had considered seizing and crashing that aircraft but abandoned the plan.
Israeli officials said al-Hammami told interrogators that he sought employment with Dubai state-owned flydubai after looking for airlines operating flights to Tel Aviv. He later became the co-pilot of Flight 1073, where he attacked the captain before the aircraft diverted to Saudi Arabia.
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