"Excluded from an Airline Due to His Extremism".. Sources Reveal New Information to Afaaq News Regarding the Suspect in the "Fly Dubai" Incident

- Informed sources revealed to Afaq News that the pilot - suspected of assaulting another pilot on a Flydubai flight heading to Tel Aviv on Wednesday - was previously dismissed from a position at Oman Air last year due to concerns over his "extreme views." A regional diplomatic source familiar with the case told Afaq News that the suspect was removed from a training program due to fears of adopting extremist ideas, noting that he was transferred to another position within the company.

Another source reported that the pilot is an Omani citizen, born in the UAE to an Omani father and a Syrian mother, and has spent many years of his life in the UAE. An Israeli official also confirmed the pilot's identity. The suspect was transferred from Saudi Arabia - where the plane landed - to the UAE, where he is facing an investigation on terrorism-related charges.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday that there is a belief that the suspect underwent a process of "indoctrination in extremist Islamic ideas." An Israeli official told Afaq News that the suspect worked for Flydubai for only 8 months, while a third source mentioned that the alleged assailant previously worked for Royal Air Maroc.

This information is likely to raise concerns about the importance of background checks when hiring in the aviation sector. Afaq News reached out to Oman Air, Royal Air Maroc, and the media office of the Dubai government for comments.

For its part, Flydubai stated that it cannot comment as long as the incident is still under investigation. These new details leave unanswered questions about how an Omani citizen - given that Oman does not recognize Israel - was allowed to work as a pilot on a flight to Tel Aviv, despite the strict security measures imposed by Israel in aviation.

An Israeli official mentioned to Afaq News on Wednesday that several Israeli agencies - including the General Security Service "Shabak", the intelligence agency "Mossad", the army, and the Ministry of Transport - are conducting investigations to determine how the Omani pilot joined the flight crew.