Arabische Welten

  Turkish-backed Syrian fighters hoist the Turkish flag in Afrin, north-western Aleppo province, March 17, 2021. Source: AFP 19/06/2021 North Syria: How a German association helps finance Erdoğan’s fantasies of great power In northern Syria, Turkish President Erdoğan wants to establish a mini-Turkey, including schools, universities, and mosques. Turkish aid organizations are an important tool in this expansionist foreign policy. The trail of aid money leads back to Germany.   19/06/2021 This article was originally published in German on June 16, 2021 by  Die WELT . Translation by SyriacPress  By  Alfred Hackensberger  Correspondent for North Africa and Arab countries for  Die Welt “A warm house – 30 square meters, two rooms, bathroom, toilet, kitchen, running water and sewage.” The fundraising poster reads that the costs of accommodation are only 700 euros, “a benefaction for disadvantaged and oppressed Syrian families.” The poster includes an image of a woman with headscarf and a chil

In neighboring Iraq, Tehran's militias glorify their fallen heroes such as General Qassem Soleimani. He was killed in an American drone strike in 2020. Photo: Sebastian Backhaus By  Alfred Hackensberger  Correspondent for WELT – photos by Sebastian Backhaus Translation by SyriacPress  Sadjad’s left arm is tightly wrapped in a blue bandage. The shiny metal rod that stabilizes the bone protrudes from the bandage. “A sniper shot me,” says the 27-year-old in front of a glass of water with fresh mint on the roof terrace of the Babylon shopping mall in Baghdad. The wind high up in the open air makes the afternoon heat of 48 degrees somewhat bearable. On the other hand, you have a breathtaking view of the skyline of the Iraqi capital of 8 million with villas, skyscrapers, and palm groves. Sadjad takes out his cell phone and shows me the pictures of the fateful day he was wounded. Photos of the gaping hole the bullet tore in his upper arm. Images of him lying on a stretcher, contorted in p