SORGUL ŞÊXO

 Zirgan (Abu Rasin)- The Turkish state has attacked Zirgan, a town of Hasakah in North and East Syria, since 2019 while women have resisted the attacks.

Fatima Hemîd, one of the women resisting the attacks, runs a café in the Martyr Arîn Mirkan Park in the town. The park is one of the projects developed by the Zirgan Municipality Women’s Office and it was opened before the start of the Turkish attacks on the town. In an interview with NuJINHA, Fatima Hemîd told her story.

She lives alone under attacks

“I spend all my time in the park, amidst the laughter of children,” said Fatima Hemîd, a divorced woman. “I am not a mother, but I am very happy to be with children. I live alone. Living alone under the attacks is hard, but I have gotten used to it because we have nowhere else to live.”

Fatîma Hemîd is also in charge of the park maintenance. “I am in charge of all landscaping duties of the park. I planted trees, flowers and installed artificial turf. I water the trees and flowers. We also opened a café in the park. I run this café. This park is now my life and home and a recreation area for everyone. However, the ongoing Turkish attacks have destroyed many things in the park. Now children play with the undestroyed toys such as slides and swings.”

‘I can work for another 20 years’

Speaking about her age, she said, “My age does not prevent me from working; I can work for another 20 years. I hope peace will prevail. We hope that this occupation and the ongoing Syrian crisis will end soon. Due to the Turkish occupation, we were displaced from our homeland, our cities were occupied and our houses were destroyed.”

‘All I want is the end this occupation’

All Fatima Hamid wants is the end of the Turkish occupation. “If the Turkish occupation ends, this park will be a green park again and everyone will gather here again with happiness. I hold on to life with the hope of a life without wars and fear but with peace.

At the end of her speech, Fatima Hamid thanks the women who always support her. “I would like to thank the women and organizations for supporting me and taking care of me.”