Lone wolf influenced by Islamist jihadists, claims former Mossad official
Former Mossad official Oded Ailam analyzes the flydubai crisis, suggesting the co-pilot acted as a lone wolf influenced by Islamist jihadists and Iran.
The investigation into the recent flydubai flight security crisis has taken a significant turn, with a former high-ranking intelligence official suggesting the perpetrator may have acted alone, despite being driven by radical ideologies.
Oded Ailam, the former Mossad counter-terrorism chief and current researcher at the Jerusalem Centre for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA), provided a detailed analysis of the incident on Friday. While he cautioned that he is not part of the official inquiry, Ailam indicated that the attacker, a co-pilot, likely operated as a "lone wolf" rather than as a direct operative of an organized terrorist network.
The Psychology of a Lone Wolf
Ailam explained that orchestrating a coordinated attack involving an airline professional requires an immense amount of time and psychological manipulation. According to his assessment, the level of management required to recruit and groom a pilot for such a "horrific suicide act" suggests a different mechanism than a standard state-sponsored or organizational hit.
“It's a long process. You have to work on the psychological mechanism... It takes time; it takes a lot of experience,” Ailam stated. “I don't see it happening right now, certainly not by a country, and I don't even think it's by an organisation.”
However, he emphasized that being a "lone wolf" does not mean the individual acted in a vacuum. He used a striking metaphor to describe the influence behind the act:
“Even the lone wolf is influenced by the pack of wolves. What I mean by that is that he was definitely influenced by Islamist jihadists. It was definitely influenced by fundamental slogans. He was definitely influenced by the situation right now in the Middle East, and definitely was influenced by Iran.”
The Role of Regional Influence and Identity
Ailam pointed toward the geopolitical landscape of West Asia as a primary driver for radicalization. He specifically noted the suspect's reported origins, suggesting that if the individual is an Omani Shia, the likelihood of exposure to specific propaganda is heightened.
He noted that Oman maintains close diplomatic ties with Tehran, stating, “It's more likely that if he's a Shia—and it seems to be that he's a Shia from Oman—it's more likely that someone like him will be influenced more by Iranian and jihadist propaganda.”
Intensive Global Investigation Underway
An intensive joint probe is currently active to uncover the full scope of the plot. With the suspect in custody, intelligence agencies are working to piece together the "overall picture." Ailam suggested that the investigation likely involves a collaborative effort between Emirati authorities, the Mossad, and the CIA to prevent similar future incidents.
The rarity of such an "insider threat" within a commercial flight deck cannot be overstated. Ailam noted that such incidents, where a pilot attempts to crash a plane, are unprecedented in modern aviation history.
Heroism in the Cockpit
Amidst the analysis of the terror threat, Ailam took a moment to praise the extraordinary bravery of the plane's commander, Captain Smit Machchhar. Despite being severely wounded during the attack by the co-pilot, the Indian pilot managed to maintain control and save the aircraft and its passengers.
“I want to say my deep appreciation for the Indian pilot, Mr Samit Mutar, for his bravery and heroism that helped to save the aeroplane. It’s just unbelievable the things he did... and we all here in Israel thank him for that,” Ailam expressed.