Zirgan (Abu Rassan) is situated on the border with the Turkish-occupied territories of Northern Syria, about 30 kilometres south of Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ain). Daily artillery shells hit the town and its surroundings amid sporadic clashes. For the past five years, the population has been largely self-sufficient through the democratic self-government of the local councils. Through their commissions, the municipalities have also created a network of bakeries in Zirgan, which are now continuing their work with determination despite the attacks. As a rule, these bakeries work from the early hours of the morning until around 4 pm. One of these bakeries in Zirgan has eleven employees, they produce about 20,000 loaves of bread a day, which they pack in 2,400 bags of eight loaves each. The bread produced is forwarded to the villages in the district via the local authorities.

"We don't want to leave the people without bread"

One of the co-workers, Yasîn Ibrahim Ahmed, tells that: "We resisted during the attacks and continued to work without interruption. Especially in such difficult situations it is our task to provide for the population. Because of the many refugees here, we have great difficulties in providing for them, but we are trying to overcome these problems. We want bread to reach everyone. Even if grenades strike every day, we continue without a break."