Flydubai Co-Pilot's Suspected Social Media Posts Become Key Focus of Terror Probe

The background of Hamam Alhammami, the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, has come under scrutiny as investigators examine whether he had extremist links or whether the cockpit attack was planned. Reports say Alhammami had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about extremist views.

Investigators are also examining suspected social media accounts linked to Alhammami. According to a CNN report cited in the source material, a now-deleted LinkedIn profile carrying his name reportedly published posts featuring images and videos associated with terrorist figures. One post reportedly showed Boeing 737 Max cockpit footage before ending with images of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the former al-Qaeda leader, and Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, who carried out the 2009 suicide bombing that killed seven CIA employees and two others.

Another post reportedly contained an AI-generated image depicting Islam's three holiest sites in Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. The accompanying poem referred to rejecting humiliation, not fearing death and defending one's dignity. However, it remains unclear whether the posts were personally created by Alhammami, whether another person had access to the account, or whether any of the material had been scheduled in advance.

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The reported social media activity is being examined alongside information about Alhammami's earlier aviation career. Multiple reports say authorities in Oman had barred him from flying after concerns about extremist views emerged. A report also said he had worked as a co-pilot trainee with Oman Air before later moving to the UAE and joining Flydubai.

The investigation follows the September 30 incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, in which Alhammami allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit. The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a rapid descent, and the suspect was later transferred to the UAE. Emirati and Israeli authorities are investigating whether the incident was connected to terrorist activity or involved prior planning.

Authorities have not publicly established a definitive motive for the attack. The suspected social media posts, the reported flying ban in Oman and Alhammami's professional history are among the details being examined as investigators try to determine what led to the incident. The authenticity and authorship of the social media material will also be relevant to establishing whether it can be reliably linked to the suspect.

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