afrinpost-Exclusive
In an unsettling development, the Afrin region is experiencing an extraordinary uptick in settlement construction, ostensibly under humanitarian pretenses but with potential far-reaching demographic implications. Two settlements, one situated within Afrin city and the other in the region’s countryside, have recently been completed, prompting heightened concerns.
Settlement in Afrin City: Mahmoudiya Forest
Reported by the North Press Agency on November 14, 2023, a local association, purportedly in collaboration with Turkish authorities, has successfully concluded the construction of a new settlement in the forest of Mahmoudiya within the occupied city of Afrin. The “White Hands” association, suspected to have Qatari support and Turkish coordination, finalized the construction of 75 residential units located in the southwest section of the Mahmoudiya forest.
This newly erected settlement, strategically positioned in a wooded area overlooking Afrin city, arises from a history of Turkish-affiliated armed militia, engaging in deforestation activities since the city’s occupation in March 2018.
Additional Settlements in Afrin Countryside: Village of Ghazawiya
Furthermore, at the close of last October, local organizations, supported by Saudi funding, completed the construction of six additional settlements near the village of Ghazawiya in the countryside of Afrin.
Settlement in the Vicinity of Afrin City: “Helping Hand Village”
In a related context of settlement construction in the occupied Afrin region, the Watan Engineering Constructions company announced on Facebook that it has recently completed the final touches for a new settlement named “Helping Hand Village.” The organization behind this, “Helping Hand USA,” an American organization involved in reconstruction initiatives in earthquake-affected areas of Afrin, is reportedly working on a comprehensive project. This project encompasses the construction of 500 houses, divided into two villages, each comprising 250 houses, accompanied by essential amenities such as a mosque, a school, 12 shops, and a playground.
Expansion of Settlements: Helping Hand Village Projects
Moreover, the relief and development organization HHRD (Helping Hand for Relief and Development) announced on April 30, 2023, that it laid the foundation stone for two settlement projects:
- Helping Hand Village 1 in the vicinity of Kfar Rum village – Sharan district, approximately 15 km from the city of Afrin. This follows the construction of a new model settlement for settlers northeast of Kfaroum village in 2022, consisting of 360 houses.
- Helping Hand Village 2 near the village of Khalta / Al-Khalidiyah, on the slopes of Mount Lilon\Lêlûn, in a large settlement complex that includes two settlements: “Kuwait Al-Rahma” and “Tajammou’ al-Baraka\ Blessing Gathering.”
Land Acquisition and Deforestation: Village of Kfar Rum
To secure the land for constructing the settlement in the village of Kfar Rum, the “Sultan Murad” militia, under the supervision of “Arabah Idris,” one of the leaders of the militia, engaged in unjust land-grabbing activities on an area of 19 hectares. Approximately 19 hectares of forest land were cut by the “Sultan Murad Brigade” at the eastern entrance to the village of Kfar Rum – Sharan district, located 15 km north of Afrin city.
About Helping Hand for Relief and Development-HHRD
The American organization Helping Hand for Relief and Development-HHRD introduces itself as a global humanitarian organization for relief and development, responding to humanitarian suffering in emergencies and disasters worldwide. Founded in 2005, it has Islamic orientations, with its main office address in Southfield, Michigan, USA – 21199 Hilltop St Southfield MI 48033.
