An Al Qaeda-linked publication has called for copycat attacks targeting American and Israeli aircraft, praising the alleged hijacking attempt involving a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flydubai flight and invoking the September 11 attacks.

The appeal appeared in the latest edition of al-Bayan, a weekly publication reportedly launched in July by supporters of Al Qaeda, according to the New York Post.

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Plane nearly crashed and then the narrative took over

The Arabic-language publication said the “war” was not over and called American and Israeli aircraft potential targets. It cited the September 11 attacks as an example.

The article also claimed that the United States and Israel now have more enemies than before and suggested that an attacker acting independently could carry out an operation that would “benefit Islam”. It further declared that the “empire” of the United States would eventually end.

The material was reportedly circulated on Al Qaeda-linked Telegram channels on Saturday before apparently being removed.
Also read | ‘Whoever sent him will pay’: Netanyahu hints at bigger plot as Flydubai attack probe continues

Flydubai incident and alleged hijacker

The development follows the October 1 incident involving flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the Indian co-pilot, identified as Smit Machchhar, was allegedly attacked by his Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami.

Despite suffering multiple stab wounds, Machchhar is reported to have managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and overpower the co-pilot. The flight, carrying 174 people, was subsequently diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Hammami has been accused of attempting to take control of the aircraft.
Also read | Who are the mystery pilots who stepped in to save a flydubai flight from disaster?

Posts appear on alleged hijacker’s social-media accounts

Adding to the scrutiny surrounding the incident, posts reportedly linked to Al Qaeda appeared on social-media accounts belonging to al-Hammami several hours after the incident.

According to reports citing CNN, one video featured footage from inside the cockpit and appeared to focus on Israeli aircraft. It also included images of former Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, who was killed in 2022, and Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, the Al Qaeda-linked suicide bomber responsible for the 2009 attack that killed seven CIA personnel and contractors and two others.

Another post featured an AI-generated image depicting Islam’s three holiest sites- Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem- connected by a glowing trail.

However, it remains unclear who uploaded the posts or whether they had been scheduled beforehand. The alleged hijacker was already in custody when the posts appeared, and both his Instagram and LinkedIn accounts were subsequently deleted.

The reported Al Qaeda-linked call for attacks comes amid continuing investigations into the flydubai incident and the alleged motive of the Omani co-pilot.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also praised Machchhar for his actions during the incident and said he would like the Indian pilot and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in Israel’s Independence Day ceremony next year.