US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran will face a strong response if it is established that Tehran was involved in an alleged attack on a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The incident occurred a day earlier after the aircraft’s co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain while the plane was flying over the region. Passengers rushed to the cockpit as a struggle for control reportedly developed, with the aircraft losing about 17,000 feet in altitude within a minute, according to Flightradar24. The plane eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, after which the mostly Israeli passengers were flown home on a replacement flight.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump said the United States was still investigating possible Iranian involvement but indicated that the initial information pointed in that direction. Asked whether Washington would retaliate if Iran was found responsible, Trump said: “Oh, they’ll be hit very hard, don’t worry.”
Trump’s warning came amid reports of increased US military activity in the Middle East. Axios reported that the United States had recently deployed additional Patriot missile batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to protect key energy facilities against possible Iranian retaliation. The report also said the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and its strike group were heading towards the Middle East, where they could join two other US carrier groups already operating in the region.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has launched an investigation into the incident, including whether it involved terrorism. The UAE chief prosecutor said investigators would examine whether there was any “terrorist activity or intent.” Saudi Arabia said the co-pilot was transferred to the UAE on Thursday accompanied by an Emirati security team, following its initial investigation into the alleged assault on the captain.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack and said the suspect had undergone what he called “Islamist radical indoctrination.” Netanyahu also said the co-pilot had reportedly shouted “Kill me, kill me” during the incident, suggesting that he may have been suicidal.
Netanyahu identified the suspect as an Omani national and said Israel would examine how he had been cleared to operate flights into the country, given Israel’s restrictions involving pilots from countries without diplomatic relations with it.
The Israeli prime minister praised Indian captain Smit Machchhar and the passengers who helped prevent the aircraft from crashing. Machchhar was reportedly stabbed during the confrontation and was later treated in the UAE. The Indian embassy said he was in “good health and recovering well,” while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the captain as a “HERO” for helping save lives.
Passengers also recounted the frightening moments aboard the aircraft. One passenger, Miryam Shira Ohayon, said the plane appeared to be “pretty much out of control” as the incident unfolded over Jordan. She said passengers managed to restrain the co-pilot and regain control of the aircraft.
Flydubai confirmed that another on-duty crew member travelling on the flight helped land the aircraft safely. The airline has suspended flights to Israel while investigations into the incident continue.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has also announced plans to honour five Israeli passengers who helped overpower the co-pilot and prevent what officials said could have been a major disaster.
SOURCE: VANGUARD
