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Flydubai Co-Pilot Identified: Syria Links, Extremist Views Emerge in Attack Probe
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News18•03-10-2026, 07:12
Flydubai Co-Pilot Identified: Syria Links, Extremist Views Emerge in Attack Probe
- •The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Indian captain Smit Machchhar on a Flydubai flight has been identified as 29-year-old Hamam Al-Hammami.
- •Reports indicate Al-Hammami spent time in Syria, where he was allegedly influenced by extremist ideas, leading Oman to ban him from flying.
- •After the ban, Al-Hammami reportedly moved to the UAE and later joined Flydubai, raising questions about his employment despite previous concerns.
- •Investigators are examining claims of Al-Hammami's radicalization, including alleged indoctrination into Al-Qaeda's ideology and meetings with religious figures.
- •The co-pilot reportedly told investigators he intended to crash the aircraft in Israel, a plan that could have resulted in a "9/11-like tragedy."
Key Questions Answered
The co-pilot accused of attacking Indian captain Smit Machchhar has been identified as 29-year-old Hamam Al-Hammami.
Oman barred him from flying due to concerns over extremist views that he allegedly developed while spending time outside the country, particularly in Syria.
Despite his injuries, Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew members, passengers, and two off-duty pilots to intervene and regain control of the aircraft before making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
