In a major escalation of the conflict in Syria, Russia has launched a series of airstrikes on rebel-held areas in the northwestern province of Idlib. The attacks, which began on Saturday, have targeted several towns and villages, killing dozens of civilians and displacing thousands more.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, at least 21 civilians were killed on Sunday, including eight children and six women. Among the victims were a family of seven who died when their home was hit by a Russian missile in the town of Ariha.

The attacks have also damaged or destroyed several health facilities, schools, mosques and markets, according to local sources and aid groups. The White Helmets, a volunteer rescue group, said they had documented 18 attacks on civilian infrastructure in the past two days.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it was targeting “terrorist groups” that had violated a ceasefire agreement brokered by Turkey and Russia in March 2020. The ministry claimed that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Turkey and in response to “provocations” by the rebels.

However, Turkey, which backs some of the rebel factions in Idlib, denied any involvement in the Russian attacks and condemned them as a violation of the ceasefire. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the Russian ambassador to Ankara to express its “strong reaction” to the strikes.

The UN humanitarian coordinator for Syria, Mark Lowcock, also expressed alarm over the situation in Idlib and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians. He said the UN was ready to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the violence.

Idlib is the last major rebel stronghold in Syria, where a civil war has been raging since 2011. The province hosts about three million people, more than half of whom are internally displaced from other parts of the country. The region has witnessed several waves of violence and displacement in recent years, as the Syrian government and its allies have tried to recapture it from the rebels.

Why did Russia launch new aerial attacks?

The Russian defense ministry said it targeted “terrorist” positions and infrastructure, but activists and witnesses reported civilian casualties and damage to hospitals, schools and markets. What are the motives behind this intervention and what are the implications for the region and the world?

One possible reason for the Russian airstrikes is to support its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is facing a serious threat from a variety of rebel groups, some of which are backed by the US, Turkey and other countries. Russia has been a staunch ally of Assad since the start of the civil war in 2011, providing him with military, economic and diplomatic assistance. By launching the airstrikes, Russia may hope to bolster Assad’s position and prevent his regime from collapsing.

Another possible reason for the Russian airstrikes is to counter the influence of the US and its allies in the Middle East. Russia has been critical of the US-led coalition that has been conducting airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria and Iraq since 2014, accusing it of violating Syria’s sovereignty and failing to coordinate with the Syrian government. Russia may also see the US as a rival for regional dominance and seek to challenge its interests and allies, such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

A third possible reason for the Russian airstrikes is to protect its own national security interests. Russia may fear that the instability and violence in Syria could spill over into its neighboring regions, such as the Caucasus and Central Asia, where it has strategic and economic interests.

Russia may also worry that some of the rebel groups in Syria, especially those affiliated with IS or al-Qaeda, could pose a terrorist threat to its homeland or its citizens abroad. By launching the airstrikes, Russia may aim to prevent the spread of extremism and terrorism in its vicinity.

The Russian airstrikes have provoked mixed reactions from the international community. The US and its allies have condemned the intervention as a violation of international law and a hindrance to the peace process. They have also expressed concern that Russia is not targeting IS but rather other rebel groups that are fighting against Assad.

They have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a political solution to the conflict. On the other hand, some countries, such as Iran, Iraq and China, have welcomed the Russian intervention as a contribution to the fight against terrorism and a stabilizing factor in the region.

The Russian airstrikes have also raised questions about the future of Syria and the prospects for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The intervention may complicate the efforts to find a political solution that would involve all parties, including Assad and his opponents.

It may also increase the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and the US or its allies, which could escalate into a wider regional or global war. The intervention may also worsen the humanitarian situation in Syria, where millions of people have been killed, injured or displaced by the violence.

The Russian airstrikes are a significant development in the Syrian civil war that could have far-reaching consequences for the region and the world. The motives behind this intervention are complex and multifaceted, involving geopolitical, security and ideological factors.

The intervention has sparked controversy and criticism from some countries and support from others. The intervention has also added uncertainty and complexity to the situation in Syria and challenged the hopes for a peaceful end to the conflict.

The Boeing 737 MAX 9 is a narrow-body aircraft that is part of the Boeing 737 MAX family, which also includes the MAX 7, MAX 8, and MAX 10 variants. The MAX 9 has a longer fuselage and can carry up to 220 passengers in a single-class configuration. It made its first flight in April 2017 and entered service with Lion Air in March 2018.

In a blog post published on Monday, Boeing’s executive vice president of commercial airplanes, Stan Deal, issued a heartfelt apology to the customers and passengers affected by the recent problem with the MAX 9 aircraft. He also assured them that the company is working hard to resolve the issue and prevent it from happening again.

MAX 9, along with the other MAX variants, has been grounded worldwide since March 2019, following two fatal crashes involving the MAX 8 model that killed 346 people. The crashes were attributed to a faulty software system called MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System), which was designed to prevent the aircraft from stalling by automatically pushing the nose down in certain situations.

However, the system was prone to erroneous activation due to faulty sensor data, and pilots were not adequately trained or informed about how to override it.

The airlines that have ordered or operated the MAX 9 have also faced challenges due to the grounding. They have had to cancel thousands of flights, reduce their capacity and revenue, and incur additional costs for leasing or maintaining alternative aircraft.

Some airlines have also cancelled or deferred their orders for the MAX 9 or other MAX variants, opting for other models from Boeing or its competitors. The impact of the grounding has varied depending on the size and market of each airline, but overall, it has been a major disruption for the industry.

The Boeing 737 MAX 9 is a promising aircraft that offers improved fuel efficiency, range, and passenger comfort compared to its predecessors. However, it has been plagued by a serious safety issue that has grounded it for almost five years.

The impact of this problem has been felt by Boeing, its customers, and the entire aviation industry. It remains to be seen when and how the MAX 9 will return to service, and whether it will be able to regain its reputation and market share.

Deal explained that the problem was caused by a faulty sensor in the tail of the plane, which triggered a warning message in the cockpit and forced some flights to return to the airport or divert to another destination. He said that the sensor was part of a new system designed to enhance the performance and safety of the MAX 9, but that it malfunctioned due to a manufacturing defect.

He said that Boeing has identified the root cause of the problem and is implementing a fix that will be installed on all MAX 9 planes before they resume service. He also said that Boeing is conducting a thorough review of its quality control processes and procedures to ensure that such a defect does not occur again.

The grounding of the MAX fleet has had a significant impact on the aviation industry, both for Boeing and its customers. Boeing has faced billions of dollars in losses, fines, lawsuits, and compensation claims from airlines, passengers, and regulators. It has also suffered reputational damage and loss of trust from the public and its stakeholders.

Boeing has been working on fixing the software issues and implementing other changes to the aircraft design and training procedures, but the process has been delayed by multiple technical and regulatory hurdles. As of January 2024, Boeing has not yet received approval from the FAA or other authorities to resume flights of the MAX fleet.

Deal expressed his deep regret for the inconvenience and anxiety caused by the problem and thanked the customers and passengers for their patience and understanding. He said that Boeing is committed to delivering the highest standards of quality, reliability and safety in its products and services, and that it will continue to work closely with its partners and regulators to restore confidence in the MAX 9.

He concluded by saying that Boeing values the trust and loyalty of its customers and passengers, and that it will do everything in its power to earn it back.

Boeing 737 MAX delivered to China since 2019

Meanwhile, a historic moment for Boeing and China: the first 737 MAX delivered to the country since 2019 has landed in Guangzhou on January 27, 2024. The aircraft, a 737 MAX 8, was delivered to China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in China and one of the world’s biggest carriers.

The delivery marks a milestone in the recovery of the 737 MAX program, which was grounded worldwide for nearly two years following two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed 346 people.

The first crash occurred on October 29, 2018, when Lion Air Flight 610 plunged into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board. The second crash happened on March 10, 2019, when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing all 157 people on board.

Boeing has since made several changes to the design, software and training of the 737 MAX, and has obtained approval from regulators in the US, Europe, Canada, Brazil and other countries to resume flights.

China was the last major market to lift the ban on the 737 MAX, after conducting its own rigorous review and test flights. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced the recertification of the 737 MAX on December 15, 2023, clearing the way for Chinese airlines to resume taking delivery of their orders. China Southern Airlines has 24 737 MAX jets in its fleet and another 64 on order, according to Boeing’s website.

The delivery flight of the first 737 MAX to China since 2019 took off from Boeing’s delivery center in Seattle on January 26, and flew across the Pacific Ocean with a stopover in Honolulu. The flight crew reported no issues during the journey and praised the performance and efficiency of the aircraft.

The flight landed in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at 4:26 pm local time, where it was welcomed by a water cannon salute and a ceremony attended by representatives from China Southern Airlines, Boeing and CAAC.

The first 737 MAX delivered to China since 2019 will undergo some final checks and preparations before entering service with China Southern Airlines. The airline plans to use the aircraft on domestic routes initially, before expanding to regional and international destinations. The airline said it is confident in the safety and reliability of the 737 MAX and expects it to bring more value and convenience to its customers.

Boeing said it is grateful for the trust and support of China Southern Airlines and other Chinese customers who have ordered more than 300 737 MAX jets. The company said it is committed to delivering high-quality products and services to the Chinese market, and to enhancing its long-term partnership with China’s aviation industry.