Abu Dhabi Burqa Stabbing Suspect Arrested, Home 'Base of Operations' for Terror Network

by Mary Chastain

Authorities in Abu Dhabi arrested 38-year-old Dalal al Hashemi, an Emirati citizen, who allegedly stabbed to death American teacher Ibolya Ryan with a large knife that was hidden in her burqa. Hashemi did not act alone.

 

The second suspect, also a woman, is in her late 30s, but officials did not release her name. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayad al Nahyan, the minister of the interior for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said after the attack the woman placed a bomb at a Muslim Egyptian-American doctor’s house. The man’s son deactivated the bomb before it blew up.

"They dismantled the bomb and identified its primitive components that included small gas cylinders, a lighter, glue and nails to cause maximum injuries when detonated," said Colonel Dr. Rashid Borshid.

Sheikh Saif told the media the woman targeted the man and Ryan because of their nationalities. He also said the woman is not a lone wolf. In fact, “her house was ‘a base of operations.’” Officers arrested other people at Hashemi’s house. However, they do not know if these people played a part in the attack or what groups any are connected to.

An anonymous web post “urged attacks against American teachers” in Abu Dhabi. On October 29, the US Embassy warned US citizens in the area of impending attacks. From ABC News:

The surveillance cameras' eerie images show the culprit entering the mall on Dec. 1 as well as the crime scene. In the video, the weapon shown appears to be a large kitchen knife. The surveillance video ends with onlookers pointing at the suspect and trying to stop the person, who fled to an elevator and left the mall.

Ryan leaves behind 11-year-old twins.