Al-Qaida leader's pic, Syrian mother: What we know on flydubai Omani co-pilot

Photo of al-Qaeda terrorists on social media, alleged visits to radical websites, deeply religious views, and a controversial stint at Oman Air - disturbing details emerging about the Omani co-pilot have raised serious questions about how he found his way into the cockpit of the Israel-bound flydubai flight. The co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami by Al Arabiya, attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar aboard flight FZ1073 earlier this week in an apparent attempt to take over the aircraft and crash it.

Since the September 30 incident, scant details have emerged about the co-pilot, who is presently in UAE custody. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said he "underwent Islamic radical indoctrination" without giving any details. He has now been identified as al-Hammami, born to an Omani father and Syrian mother.

WHO IS FLYDUBAI CO-PILOT AL-HAMMAMI?

However, al-Hammami spent most of his life in the UAE, according to reports in CBS News and CNN. The Omani government has not officially confirmed his nationality.

Reports indicated it was possible that al-Hamami held dual citizenship. If it is true, it will help explain how he was permitted to serve as a pilot on a flight to Israel.

Oman does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. The Abraham Accords, which normalised relations between Israel and the UAE in 2020, bar pilots from countries that do not have diplomatic ties with Israel from flying into Tel Aviv.

Before joining flydubai around eight months ago, al-Hammami worked for the state-run Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc, the Moroccan national carrier.

He came under scrutiny during his stint at Oman Air for his extremist views. He was also found visiting radical websites.

Amid concerns over his activities, al-Hammami was removed from flying duties and assigned a office job by Oman Air. Desk duty was not much to his liking. He eventually left Oman Air around 2024.

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