German far right reopens wounds of Dresden blast

GERMANY marks 75 years since the destruction of Dresden in World War II on Thursday, an anniversary seized upon by the far right to inflate victim numbers and play down Nazi crimes.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will give a speech at Dresden’s Palace of Culture, walking a fine line between remembering those killed in the Allied air raids on the eastern city and stressing Germany’s responsibility for the war.

Afterwards, he will join thousands of residents in forming a human chain of “peace and tolerance” as church bells ring out.

Dresden mayor Dirk Hilbert began the commemorations in the morning by placing white roses at a memorial for the victims.

As in past years, the commemoration events are set to attract neo-Nazis, while the far-right AfD party will man an information booth to tell the supposed “truth” about the bombings.

Police are also bracing for a large demo by rightwing extremists on Saturday, as well as counterprotests.

AFP PHOTO SMOKE from burning tires billow during ongoing anti-government protests in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah. More than 540 Iraqis have been killed in protest-related violence across Iraq since the rallies erupted, according to a recent toll by the Iraqi Human Rights Commission.