Stories
Flydubai Pilot Stabbing: Israel Calls It Attempted Terror Attack Targeting Abraham Accords
- •Israel described the stabbing of an Indian pilot on a Flydubai flight as an “attempted terrorist attack” against Israelis, the UAE, and the Abraham Accords.
- •The incident occurred on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight carrying 174 passengers, including Israelis, and forced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- •Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot, was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot but fought back, opened the cockpit door, and allowed intervention.
- •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Captain Machchhar as a “true hero” for preventing a potential mid-air disaster.
- •The alleged attacker is an Omani national, described as a “religious extremist,” who was arrested by Saudi authorities after the landing.
Key Questions Answered
Israel's Foreign Ministry stated that the co-pilot's attack targeted Israelis, the UAE, and the Abraham Accords. Israeli and Emirati officials subsequently agreed to cooperate against extremist elements threatening regional security after the incident.
Despite being seriously stabbed by his co-pilot as the plane descended, Indian Captain Smit Machchhar fought back and managed to open the cockpit door before collapsing. This action allowed passengers and crew to enter, overpower the attacker, stabilise the aircraft, and land safely in Saudi Arabia.
The accused co-pilot is an Omani national who joined Flydubai roughly eight months prior to the incident. A fellow pilot described him as a religious extremist who prayed excessively and refused to shake hands with women, and he was arrested and hospitalized following the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
