Turkish authorities say that an Egyptian national, Mommen Abdul Aziz Talikh, who hijacked an Atlas jet flying from Cyprus to Istanbul on Saturday, attended a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan. Turkish Transport Minister Osman Gunes said Talikh was carrying a Syrian passport although he is believed to be "of Palestinian origin." State run news agency Anatolia reports that the jihadist spent time in a Saudi prison alongside a senior al Qaeda member named only as "Ahmad." From the International Herald Tribune:

Police did not say at which al-Qaida camp or which country Talikh received training, the agency said. Police also did not say why Talikh was jailed in Saudi Arabia.

Police said Talikh, who is of Palestinian origin, was born in Cairo and his family was still living in Saudi Arabia. His alleged accomplice, Mehmet Resat Ozlu, was from Turkey's southeastern city of Sanliurfa.

Mommen Talikh and Mehmet Ozlu reportedly shared an apartment together in Northern Cyprus. Ozlu was registered with the local university in the literature department. Talikh worked as a waiter. According to police, the men claim that they wanted to go to Afghanistan to join the Taliban and that it was for this reason they had asked that the plane be taken to Iran which borders Afghanistan. It's a bizarre and highly implausible story — Talikh didn't need to hijack a passenger plane the last time he went to Afghanistan — but then again this information is coming from the same Turkish officials who shook hands with the hijackers after they surrendered. 

From National Public Radio:

In the end, the hijackers surrendered with their hands in the air. They shook hands with Turkish officials before being seated in a police car and taken away for interrogation.

This is the fifth hijacking or attempted hijacking involving Turkish airspace and/or Turkish planes in four years. In all of those instances, including the hijacking of an Atlas jet on Saturday, the hijackers claimed, falsely, to be carrying bombs.  

The Middle East Media Research Institute, or MEMRI, reports that "it is also said that Talikh may have ties with some leading Al Qaeda operatives," (translated from Turkiye Haberci) If this is the case, it is a much bigger story than it already is.  

Ercan International Airport, where the hijackers boarded the Atlas jet flight, is the principal airport for the Turkish-controlled area of Cyprus called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, or TRNC. The TRNC is not recognized by international law. Flights from Ercan Airport fly only to Turkey. 

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