The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have launched investigations into the incident in which a fellow pilot attacked Indian pilot Smith Machar on a Flydubai flight and attempted to cause the aircraft to crash.
Both countries have intensified their investigation from various angles, including whether this was a terrorist conspiracy or what the motive was of the Omani pilot who carried out the attack, as well as the background behind the assault.
A Flydubai aircraft, which departed on Wednesday from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, carrying 174 passengers including 27 children, was flying midair when the Omani co-pilot suddenly stabbed Indian pilot Captain Smith Machar with a knife and took over control with the intention of bringing the plane down.
As a result, the aircraft, which had been flying at an altitude of 34,000 feet, descended and swayed to about 17,000 feet within the next few minutes. At the same time, Smith Machar, who was struggling with severe injuries, opened the cockpit door. Following this, passengers who entered the cabin subdued the Omani co-pilot. The aircraft was then brought back under control by other crew members and safely landed in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabian authorities arrested the Omani pilot who carried out the attack.
UAE group formation: UAE judicial department senior official Hamad Al Shamsi on Thursday ordered the formation of a special committee comprising people from the judiciary to investigate this incident, which caused a stir internationally.
In a press release issued by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding this, it said, ‘Although this incident occurred outside the UAE’s regional borders, since the Flydubai flight is registered in the UAE, it is possible to investigate criminal acts that took place on board and take legal action. Accordingly, a special team is being formed to conduct a thorough investigation from various angles, including whether the act carried out on the flight was a terrorist attack, whether it was premeditated, the background to the attack, and its true motive.’
Other parties are urged to follow only the official statements issued by the UAE government regarding this investigation. Therefore, we advise disregarding rumors and speculation about the investigation.
“We express our appreciation to the authorities of Saudi Arabia for handling the airstrike incident with great care and for extending their cooperation,” it was stated.
Meanwhile, government media reported that the special committee formed by the UAE, in coordination with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, has begun its investigation.
Israel urges deportation of Omani pilot: Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on Thursday that they would urge Saudi Arabia to deport the Omani pilot who attacked an Indian pilot and tried to cause an accident.
Regarding this, he further said, ‘I have invited the Justice Minister and diplomatic officials to participate in the emergency consultation meeting to be held on the attack incident in the aircraft. I will tell them to pursue all legal avenues to extradite the Omani pilot from Saudi Arabia to Israel and conduct an investigation here. Anyone who tries to kill Israelis will be given severe punishment, no matter where in the world they are. This is Israel’s security policy,’ he said.
Complication in direct deportation: The Times of Israel reported that the UAE plans to take the Omani pilot into custody and interrogate him once Saudi Arabia completes its investigation. Meanwhile, Israel’s statement that it will urge Saudi Arabia to deport the Omani pilot has caused confusion.
This is because neither Saudi Arabia, where the plane was landed, nor Oman, the pilot’s home country, has diplomatic relations with Israel. As a result, it is said that there is a problem in directly deporting the Omani pilot to Israel.
‘A terrorist-minded person: Netanyahu attacks Omani pilot’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that the Omani pilot who tried to crash the plane had been indoctrinated with Islamist and terrorist ideas.
In an interview with the media about the incident, he further said: A very thorough investigation will be conducted into the plane attack. We will determine the reason for the attack. It is not known who indoctrinated the person who carried out the attack with terrorist ideology. At this point, it cannot be said whether Iran is connected to it.
I spoke by phone with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He agreed to Israel participating in the investigation being conducted by the UAE,’ he said.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he had discussed the incident over the phone with Netanyahu, and stated, “The attacker may have been a terrorist or someone with mental illness. Iran may be behind this. If that is confirmed, a severe response will be given.”
