A recent publication by Al Qaeda has called for attacks on US citizens on planes, referencing the 9/11 terror attacks and praising a recent hijacking attempt on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
What happened
The threat, which appeared in a weekly publication launched by pro-Al Qaeda supporters, urged copycat attacks and stated that the US and Israel have more enemies than ever. The article included images of a plane crashing into the Twin Towers and the recent hijacking attempt, which was carried out by a 29-year-old copilot named Hamam al-Hammami.
Al-Hammami, an Omani national, attempted to hijack the flight by stabbing the pilot with a crash ax and taking control of the cockpit. However, he was restrained by heroic passengers, and the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. It is reported that al-Hammami was radicalized after holding meetings with unspecified religious figures and was previously employed by Oman Air and Air Maroc before being let go due to radical ideology found on his cell phone.
The Al Qaeda publication boasted about the actions of its leaders and called for attacks on US and Israeli airliners. A terror expert stated that Al Qaeda is trying to capitalize on the recent hijacking attempt to gain publicity, as the organization is currently struggling.
