UAE Official Calls Flydubai Incident 'Dangerous Terrorist Act'

A senior official in the United Arab Emirates has for the first time described the incident aboard a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv as a "dangerous terrorist act." Gargash, the diplomatic advisor to the UAE President, made the statement, linking the event to the broader threat of extremism and terrorism. He emphasized the need for vigilance and caution in confronting such dangers, urging reliance on official information and avoidance of unverified speculation.

The UAE's cautious approach since the incident makes Gargash's statement significant, given his high-ranking position. While not an official conclusion of the ongoing investigation, it is the clearest public acknowledgment from a senior Emirati figure that the act was terrorism. Flydubai itself had initially described the event as a "cockpit confrontation," without publicly stating a motive.

The investigation has now fully transferred to Abu Dhabi after the co-pilot and captain were moved from Saudi Arabia, where initial investigations took place. Saudi Arabia confirmed the two were injured and that the co-pilot attacked the captain. However, the Saudi report did not address the motive, label it an attack, or mention the co-pilot's alleged attempt to crash the plane or his Omani nationality.

The UAE prosecutor has formed a special investigation team, asserting jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the Emirates. Emirati law allows them to investigate offenses committed on their registered aircraft, even outside the country. Key questions for the Emirati investigators include whether the co-pilot planned the act beforehand, if the flight's destination of Israel was a factor, if he acted alone, and if he had external support.

Israel seeks to participate in the investigation, with an Israeli team expected to travel to the Emirates. Israel's primary concerns are the co-pilot's intended target, findings from his digital devices, and any connections to other individuals or entities. The classification of the act as terrorism does not automatically confirm external direction by a terrorist organization or state, as the investigation must also determine if the co-pilot acted independently after becoming radicalized.