Nice post Roccus.
I think it was indeed “technical difficulties.” Especially, if an anti-aircraft missile or some on-board explosive caused the “technical difficulty.” 737’s, even old ones with lots of hours on them, don’t simply catch on fire.
I am around aviation a lot and always feel for those involved in these incidents. The last minutes must be awful. R.I.P.
Could be ground crew were AWOL and/or not up to snuff tonight due to a fear of incoming US ordnance. RIP.