United Arab Emirates

9/11-style

UAE: Flydubai co-pilot planned attack on Ben Gurion Airport

UAE prosecutors say Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami planned to crash a passenger jet into Ben Gurion Airport after years of preparation for a terror attack.

Report:

UAE gave Israel FlyDubai crew details before attempted attack

The UAE reportedly shared the flight’s passenger and crew information with Israel before takeoff, raising fresh questions over how the alleged cockpit attacker was allowed to board.

What happened in Australia?

Police probe terrorist copilot’s ties

Australian police are examining Hamam al-Hammami’s ties to the country, including his years as a student, after the attempted crash of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.

Israeli assessment:

Flydubai terrorist was lone wolf

CBS News reports an initial Israeli probe points to a lone attacker, while investigators continue examining the copilot’s background and possible outside ties.

Flydubai terror attack:

Suspicion expands to flight crew

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates are investigating whether the suspected terrorist received assistance from a member of the crew.

Flydubai hero pilot honored in UAE and India

Dubai's Crown Prince visits injured flydubai captain in the hospital, praising his courage after he helped save 174 passengers.

Due to radicalization

Report: Flydubai attacker had been banned from flying

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Flydubai co-pilot who attacked his captain and sent an Israel-bound flight toward the ground had previously been barred from flying in Oman over radicalization concerns.

Permission received

Flights to begin returning Israelis from UAE

After talks with the UAE, Israeli airlines received approval for Dubai repatriation flights, though security coordination delayed departures and canceled two El Al flights.

UAE source reveals:

Terrorist pilot possessed 'Free Palestine' pamphlets

Pro-Palestinian materials found among belongings of Omani co-pilot who expressed hostility towards Israel, UAE source reveals to i24NEWS.

Dubai rescue flights set for Friday, departure delays expected

Transportation Ministry announces that rescue flights operated by Israeli airlines from Dubai will begin Friday, though delays are expected due to logistical challenges.

After transfer to UAE:

Israel preparing to question pilot

Saudi Interior Ministry says both hero captain and terrorist co-pilot were transferred to the UAE after their conditions improved.

India shares update on Flydubai hero

Captain Smit Machchhar is stable after being transferred from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi for further care, India’s ambassador to the UAE said.

Following attempted attack:

Flydubai service to Israel suspended for six days

Airline suspends flights for six days after co-pilot attempts to crash plane full of Israelis.

Dramatic testimony:

'We tied him up with headphone cables'

Tzvika Manes, one of the passengers who subdued the pilot, recounts the critical moments: screams from the cockpit, a terrifying dive and a violent struggle.

Despite ceasefire violations:

Egyptian contractors enter Gaza to build ‘Green Rafah’

UAE-backed project to house tens of thousands of Gazans moves forward as Hamas ceasefire violations increase in frequency and intensity.

Report:

The intel Netanyahu revealed to the UAE

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly shares fresh Israeli intelligence on Iran's renewed nuclear advances during secret Abu Dhabi talks.

After Netanyahu visit

Iran warns UAE: Israel’s regional presence 'very dangerous'

Iran condemns Netanyahu’s visit to the UAE, warning regional countries against expanding Israel’s presence and accusing it of fueling instability.

Saudi Arabia denies

Representatives didn't attend Netanyahu-UAE meeting

Saudi Arabia rejects reports that its representatives attended a meeting between PM Netanyahu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi.

Did Netanyahu secretly meet a Libyan leader in Abu Dhabi?

An aircraft used by Saddam Haftar reportedly landed in Abu Dhabi shortly after Netanyahu, prompting an unconfirmed claim that the two met.

Second meeting in months

Behind the scenes of the Netanyahu-bin Zayed summit

The UAE and Prime Minister’s Office officially confirm reports of a previously undisclosed meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the UAE President.

Secret Abu Dhabi meeting

Report: Netanyahu's unusual request from UAE President

AP reports Netanyahu secretly met UAE President bin Zayed to seek a denial of claims he had warned Israel of an impending Hamas attack before October 7.

Mossad official's testimony cast doubts on 10.7 warning reports

Former Mossad official Eyal Tsir Cohen says Egyptian intelligence officials never mentioned any prior October 7 warning, despite dozens of hours of talks.

Secret trip

Netanyahu meets with UAE President

Channel 12 reports Netanyahu secretly flew to Abu Dhabi for talks with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed; the Prime Minister's Office has not commented.

At Oct. 1 meeting

NYT: Netanyahu did not mention UAE warning of Hamas attack

The New York Times reports Netanyahu did not mention an alleged UAE warning about a planned Hamas attack during a key security meeting days before Oct. 7.

UAE denies report

No warning was conveyed to Netanyahu

An official in Abu Dhabi denied a report claiming that President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Prime Minister Netanyahu of a Hamas attack before October 7.

'Provocative and hostile actions'

Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with UAE

Algeria announces it is severing diplomatic ties with the UAE, accusing the Gulf state of provocative and hostile actions. Abu Dhabi hopes the split is temporary.

Muslim countries back UK sanctions on Judea and Samaria

Eight Muslim-majority countries, including Abraham Accords member UAE, welcome UK sanctions on Israeli communities, urging other nations to take similar measures.

Netanyahu threatens lawsuit over Haaretz report

Netanyahu rejected the claim that the UAE had warned him ahead of the October 7th massacre.

UAE refuses to comment on report it warned about October 7

The UAE government would not confirm or deny that President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu about a Hamas attack in September 2023.

Opposition figures demand investigation over Oct. 7 revelations

Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman and Yair Golan issue joint statement calling for investigation following report that the UAE President warned Netanyahu over a week before October 7.

Report:

The dramatic warning to Netanyahu before October 7th

Haaretz claims UAE President warned Netanyahu of planned large-scale military action by Hamas days before October 7th.

After 10-year prison sentence

UAE pardons poet Abdulrahman Qaradawi

UAE President pardons poet Abdulrahman Qaradawi, son of the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, one week after he was sentenced to 10 years following his extradition from Lebanon.

Report:

Witkoff held secret meeting with UAE security chief over Iran

Axios reports that White House envoy Steve Witkoff secretly met UAE security chief Sheikh Tahnoon in Sardinia as Washington intensifies economic pressure on Iran.

Until further notice

UAE halts trade and financial transactions with Iran

The UAE suspends all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran, citing regional escalations that threaten peace and security.

Two UAE state vessels targeted in Strait of Hormuz

Two UAE state oil vessels attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Abu Dhabi to condemn Iranian strikes in the region.

'We can do it again':

Kushner marks six years of Abraham Accords

Jared Kushner and Israeli President Isaac Herzog marked six years of the Abraham Accords, urging expanded regional cooperation, security and prosperity.

US urges Americans to leave Middle East amid Iran fears

US State Department warns Americans in Middle East to consider leaving, citing risk of sudden airspace closures, flight disruptions, and attacks on US interests.

UAE unveils bold plan to bypass Strait of Hormuz

The UAE is planning major new ports, pipelines and transport links to eliminate its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz for trade.

Regev reveals: Israel gave Iron Dome batteries to UAE

Israel helped United Arab Emirates protect its citizens from Iranian attacks during war, Transportation Minister Miri Regev confirms.

Over safety concerns

The covert operation to evacuate Ronen Bar from the UAE

The former Shin Bet Director and his wife urgently evacuated from the United Arab Emirates following an exceptional security alert.

As US-Iran talks conclude

Report: UAE unlocks up to $20B for Tehran

Reuters reports that the UAE has agreed to release up to $20 billion to Iran to halt drone attacks, aligning with final US-Tehran peace talks. UAE denies the report.

WSJ report:

UAE struck Iran dozens of times in coordination with US, Israel

The UAE struck Iranian sites with US-Israeli backing during the war, sparking tensions with Saudi Arabia, according to The Wall Street Journal.

UN Security Council condemns drone strike on UAE nuclear plant

UN Security Council unanimously condemns drone strike on a UAE nuclear plant but does not assign blame for the attack.

Report:

Shin Bet Chief met with ex-Fatah official in UEA

David Zini reportedly met with Mohammed Dahlan, who has been identified as the preferred candidate to take control over Gaza, during a recent visit to the UAE.

Chief of Staff visited UAE during Iran war

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited United Arab Emirates during Iran war, meeting president and local security leaders.

Report: Ship commandeered off coast of UAE

Vessel taken by unauthorized personnel reportedly bound for Iranian waters, watchdog warns.

UAE denies Netanyahu secretly visited the country

The UAE denies Netanyahu’s claim of a secret war visit to the country, hours after Netanyahu’s office confirmed the visit.

'Historic breakthrough'

Netanyahu visited UAE during Iran war

PM's Office officially confirms that during Operation Roaring Lion against Iran, Prime Minister Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates and met with President Mohammed bin Zayed.

Report:

Mossad, Shin Bet chiefs visited UAE to coordinate war on Iran

New reports reveal secret visits by Mossad chief David Barnea, Shin Bet head David Zini, to the United Arab Emirates during Operation Roaring Lion in Iran.

Why is the UAE reappraising its alliances?

Sentimental alliances, which governed a large share of Arab politics for decades, seem to have collapsed. Anyone seeking a stable relationship with the UAE must now offer more than displays of solidarity or the expectation of routine financial support. Opinion.

Report:

UAE secretly struck Iran during the war

The Wall Street Journal reports that the UAE carried out military strikes in Iran, including one targeting an Iranian refinery.

Emirati attack?

Mysterious explosions in Iran

Iranian media report explosions and exchanges of fire near the Strait of Hormuz, with claims pointing to possible UAE involvement.

'Not heavy firing'

Trump stops short of saying Iran violated ceasefire

Trump downplays Iranian attacks, warns Tehran to keep the ceasefire: They better hope it remains in effect.

High alert

Israel prepares for possible collapse of ceasefire with Iran

Amid the U.S. operation in the Strait of Hormuz and recent Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates, Israel is preparing for the possibility of immediate escalation. Tehran has threatened a “night of rage."

3 hurt

Iran launches four cruise missiles at the UAE

The United Arab Emirates reported that four cruise missiles were launched from Iran toward its territory-three were intercepted and one fell into the sea.

Amid Iranian barrage

Report: Israel sent laser defense system to UAE

Financial Times reports that Israel supplied the United Arab Emirates with sophisticated defensive weapons to help counter a massive Iranian barrage of missiles and drones.

United Arab Emirates withdraws from OPEC

United Arab Emirates announces its withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+ effective May 1, citing alignment with its long-term economic and energy strategy. The decision represents a significant challenge to the influential oil cartel led by Saudi Arabia.

Death penalty law

Widespread condemnation by Muslim countries

8 Muslim countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, issue condemnation of Israel's law on the death penalty for terrorists. Afghanistan’s Taliban government also criticized the legislation.

Report

UAE to join force aimed at reopening Strait of Hormuz

A report in the Financial Times says that Abu Dhabi has formally expressed willingness to take part in a maritime coalition to break the Iranian blockade.

Surprising calls in the UAE: 'Trust Israel'

Dubai’s deputy police chief Dhahi Khalfan Tamim voiced support for Israel amid Iran threats, marking a shift from his past criticism.