Al-Qaeda Calls for Attacks on US-Bound Flights, Praises Hijacker

Al-Qaeda has publicly called for attacks on Americans and Israelis aboard airplanes, issuing threats in its weekly publication that reference the September 11, 2001, terror attacks and praising a recent hijacking attempt. The publication, al-Bayan, launched in July by pro-Al-Qaeda supporters, stated that "America and the Zionists have far more enemies today than before." It specifically mentioned planes carrying "Zionists, Americans and all the other infidels fighting against Islam" as potential targets.

The article appeared Friday, accompanied by an image of the Twin Towers being hit by planes on 9/11 and another image of a flydubai aircraft that was recently hijacked. The publication suggested that the United States' "empire of evil" would eventually end. The content was circulated on the group's Telegram channels, though it was reportedly taken down shortly after.

Terror expert Evan Kohlmann noted that Al-Qaeda appears to be trying to capitalize on recent events, stating, "They're trying to get publicity out of this because the organization is not dead but, on the ropes. They’ve been talking about attacks on US and Israeli airliners for the past 25 years."

The al-Bayan article also seemingly referenced Hamam al-Hammami, the 29-year-old flydubai hijacker, by boasting about "our brothers, supporters" republishing the words and actions of Al-Qaeda leaders on social media. Al-Hammami, an Omani national and copilot, allegedly used a crash ax to attack the pilot and seize control of the cockpit on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after passengers subdued al-Hammami.

Following the incident, social media accounts linked to al-Hammami posted a series of video clips from a plane cockpit, zooming in on Israeli aircraft and ending with a photo of the late Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. These posts appeared before the accounts were deleted. It remains unclear who posted them or if they were pre-scheduled. Reports suggest al-Hammami was indoctrinated into Al-Qaeda's ideology and had meetings with religious figures as part of his radicalization. He was reportedly let go from previous employment with Oman Air and Air Maroc after radical ideology was found on his cell phone.