Israeli-based association constructs settlement in Syria’s Aleppo

ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – A local association continues to equip a settlement that was built in coordination with the Isreali-based Merciful Hearts Association late in 2022, in the countryside of the city of Azaz, north of Aleppo.

An exclusive source told North Press that the Merciful Hearts Association has supported Ataa Association, which operates in northwestern Syria, to establish a new settlement in the village of Sejaraz, near Azaz.

The Merciful Hearts Association based in the city of Nazareth, the largest city in Israel’s northern district, and founded in 2016.

The association began construction in late November 2022, as it built approximately 500 housing units that were handed over to IDPs, while the association is still preparing new units within the settlement, the source added.

The source pointed out that the Levant Front (Jabhat al-Shamiya) and Military Police, affiliated with Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka Syrian National Army (SNA), in Azaz seized some of these housing units.

In March, it was revealed that Hapoalim Bank, Israel’s second-biggest bank, was used by a Palestinian association to construct illegal settlements in the Kurdish region of Afrin, northwest Syria.

In addition, Turkey build, with the support of Gulf countries, most notably Kuwait and Qatar, and Palestinian associations, more than 100 settlements in Turkish-occupied areas in northern Syria, according to North Press’ own investigations.

Reporting by Farouq Hamo