HighLights
  1. Al Qaeda calls for attacks targeting American and Israeli airliners.
  2. The group invokes the September 11 attacks while praising flydubai incident.
  3. The material was reportedly shared through Al Qaeda-linked Telegram channels.

Global terror group Al Qaeda has reportedly called for copycat attacks on American and Israeli airliners, while praising an alleged hijacking attempt involving a flydubai flight heading from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The group invoked the September 11, 2001 attacks and described the flydubai incident as an example of how aircraft could be targeted

Al Qaeda Calls For Copycat Attacks

According to the New York Post, the attack call appeared in the latest edition of al-Bayan, a weekly publication launched in July by supporters of Al Qaeda. The material was also shared on Telegram channels linked to the group before it was apparently removed. The publication referred to both the 9/11 attacks and the September 30 incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073.

The article urged attacks against aircraft carrying Americans and Israelis. “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 read.

ALSO READ: 'We Got Instantly Suspicious': Israeli Passengers Recall flydubai Crew's Demand To Free Co-Pilot Hamam al-Hammami 

9/11 Image Used

The publication also included an image showing a plane crashing into the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks. It was placed alongside another image referring to the attempted takeover of the flydubai flight. The article further claimed that the US and Israel have more enemies today than in the past.

“America and the Zionists have far more enemies today than before…Perhaps a man who does not believe in God will target them and his operation will ultimately benefit Islam,” the article read. It also included a direct reference to the United States, saying, “The day will come when the empire of evil America will end.”

The material was reportedly circulated through Al Qaeda-linked Telegram channels on Saturday. However, the posts later appeared to have been taken down. The article comes amid flydubai probe over possible terror links after a video posted by Omani co-pilot’s social media account displayed images of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the former al Qaeda leader and Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, who carried out the 2009 suicide bombing.

What Happened On flydubai Flight?

The incident took place on September 30 while the Flydubai Boeing 737 was travelling towards Tel Aviv. Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami is accused of attacking and stabbing Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, after which the aircraft went into a steep descent. Despite being injured, Machchhar was able to open the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to intervene. The aircraft eventually made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

ALSO READ: 'Not An Intel Body': Israel Admits It Doesn't Conduct Background Checks On Foreign Pilots Amid flydubai Probe

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