Deputy Commander of 'Flydubai' Initiated Terrorist Act

The UAE’s Attorney General, Hamad Al-Shamsi, announced that investigations into the Flydubai flight (FZ1073) bound for Israel revealed that the co-pilot began executing a “terrorist operation” during the flight.

In a statement, Al-Shamsi clarified that “the co-pilot carried out his plan during the flight, attacking the captain inside the cockpit with an emergency axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft’s controls,” emphasizing that investigations are still ongoing to uncover all circumstances, motives, and connections related to the incident.

Following the Attorney General’s statement, Anwar Gargash, the UAE President’s Diplomatic Advisor, posted on X that “the region’s struggle against extremism is ongoing, and justifying terrorism through hate speech is part of the threat, not its periphery,” noting that the recent terrorist act serves as a new warning that the confrontation has not ended.

Gargash added: “This underscores the importance of the UAE’s early and firm stance: there is no tolerance for extremism or its rhetoric. Security begins with confronting hate and drying up the sources of extremism,” affirming that “the state adopts a policy of zero tolerance toward terrorism and will show no leniency toward extremist discourse.”

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Vice President and Minister of Defense of the UAE, visited the pilot of the Flydubai flight, Simit Mathew, during his medical treatment, affirming that he embodied the highest levels of courage, responsibility, and concern for human life.

Sheikh Hamdan wrote on social media: “We are proud to have him as part of our team, part of our nation’s story, and part of our human experience in the UAE, a nation of love, peace, and life.”