Pilot's Extreme Posts Revealed After Failed Flydubai Attack

Further details have emerged regarding the security lapse that allowed a co-pilot to attempt a "mega-terror attack" on a Flydubai flight bound for Israel. The pilot, Maam Al-Maami, had previously been dismissed by Oman Air due to his extremist views, yet was hired by Flydubai. Investigations into his online activity revealed dozens of concerning posts made over several years.

These posts, which have since been deleted from his LinkedIn account, included edited footage of El Al planes and images of former Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. Another video connected Mecca and the Al-Aqsa Mosque with a symbolic line. These videos were uploaded nine hours after the failed attack, while Al-Maami was already in custody, but the digital trail began much earlier.

A cyber security firm, Red Valley, analyzed over 3,000 of Al-Maami's posts and identified 43 extreme statements. These included misogynistic remarks, threats, dehumanizing comments, homophobic statements, and sexually degrading content. Cyber expert Goon Avnon described Al-Maami as a violent, extremist, religious, and fanatical individual who should never have been allowed to pilot a plane carrying Israelis.

Oman Air had reportedly flagged Al-Maami's problematic statements and suspended him, reassigning him to a different role. However, he was subsequently employed by Flydubai, leading to the near-disaster. The article suggests that these numerous warning signs should have been recognized and acted upon by Israeli authorities to prevent the incident.