Al Qaeda Calls for Bloodshed in the Skies, Praises Dubai Flight Hijacker [WATCH]

Al Qaeda supporters called for copycat attacks targeting Americans and Israeli airliners in a vile article invoking the Sept. 11 attacks and praising the accused hijacker of Flydubai Flight FZ1073. The call appeared Friday in the latest edition of al-Bayan, a weekly publication launched in July by supporters of the terrorist organization.

The article referenced both the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and Wednesday’s attempted takeover of the Flydubai flight. Its authors explicitly threatened planes carrying Americans, Israelis, and others whom they accused of fighting Islam.

“The war isn’t over yet — planes carrying Zionists, Americans and all the other infidels fighting against Islam are still hovering in the skies and can be targeted, as happened on September 11th and 30th,” the article threatened.

The publication included an image of a plane crashing into the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001. That image appeared alongside another picture referencing Wednesday’s attack on the flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

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“America and the Zionists have far more enemies today than before,” the article said. “Perhaps a man who does not believe in God will target them and his operation will ultimately benefit Islam.”

The article added another blunt threat aimed at the United States. “The day will come when the empire of evil America will end.”

The publication’s Telegram channels appeared to circulate the post Saturday before it was apparently removed. Terrorism expert Evan Kohlmann initially told The Post that the group appeared to be attempting to capitalize on the Flydubai attack.

Social media material linked to accused copilot Hamam al-Hammami, however, added what Kohlmann considered a significant new element. “It’s interesting, if this is accurate, then he probably isn’t an ISIS supporter,” Kohlmann said.

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“I think what stands out to me most here is the reference to Humam al-Balawi,” Kohlmann said. The reference appeared in material posted through al-Hammami’s social media accounts following the thwarted incident.

About nine hours after the Flydubai plot was stopped, while al-Hammami was already in custody, a burst of posts appeared on his LinkedIn and Instagram accounts. Both accounts were later deleted, and CNN reported that it remained unclear who published the material or whether the posts had been scheduled beforehand.

One post included cockpit video clips that zoomed in on nearby Israeli aircraft. It concluded with an image of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the Al Qaeda chief who succeeded Osama bin Laden and was killed in 2022.

The material also referenced al-Balawi, whom Kohlmann described as a largely self-made Al Qaeda supporter. According to Kohlmann, al-Balawi gained a reputation on jihadist internet forums before establishing direct ties to Al Qaeda after becoming an intelligence asset for Jordan and, ultimately, the CIA.

Al-Balawi, a doctor, later carried out a suicide bombing for Al Qaeda, Kohlmann said. “It was a shock to everyone that someone from that kind of professional, successful background would blow himself up on behalf of Al-Qaida,” he said.

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The reference could carry significance because al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani pilot, also came from a professional aviation background. Reports have alleged that he displayed extremist material before Wednesday’s attack.

Al-Hammami is accused of attacking the captain with a cockpit crash axe and attempting to seize control of the aircraft. Crew members and passengers restrained him before the jet was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely after two other Flydubai pilots aboard took control.

UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said Saturday that investigators determined the copilot “attempted to carry out a terrorist act.” Authorities are continuing to investigate his motive, possible connections and digital evidence.

Israeli officials have separately alleged that al-Hammami underwent Islamist radicalization. Channel 12 reported that he had been indoctrinated into “al-Qaeda’s ideology,” citing sources involved in the investigation.

Sources have also alleged that extremist material was previously discovered on his phone while he was associated with Oman Air, resulting in restrictions on his flying duties. Oman Air and Omani authorities have not publicly substantiated those allegations.

The Transportation Security Administration said it was monitoring the Flydubai incident but did not specifically address the Al Qaeda call. “TSA is aware of the security incident involving Flydubai and are closely monitoring the situation,” the agency said.

Despite the Al Qaeda rhetoric and imagery surrounding the case, no public evidence has established that al-Hammami acted on orders from the group. The UAE investigation continues to examine whether he had outside connections or direction.

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