With a weapon in one hand and a scarf in the other, Yasmin Yusuf stood guard over one of the vast grain fields in northeastern Syria. These fields are a crucial source of bread supply for the country.


Yasmin, 42, is not alone. Many volunteers, including women, are protecting grain fields in Syria's Kurdish-controlled semi-autonomous region near Qahtania. Their mission is to safeguard the crops from fires and arsonists.

"Our aim is to help the farmers and protect their crops," said Yasmin. She explained that the task of guarding the fields lasts one to two months.

After years of drought, northeast Syria experienced heavy rains this year, giving farmers hope for a good yield. However, local residents fear that summer fires could destroy their precious crops.

A Kurdish woman told AFP, "If there is a fire in the crops for some reason, we know it immediately and inform the firefighters."


Despite the improved weather conditions, agricultural production did not improve last year, according to a recent World Bank report. A record low crop yield was recorded in the previous year.

In June 2019, at least 10 people were killed in a fire in this region of Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.Yasmin Yusuf said, "Initially, people doubted our work and questioned, 'What are these women doing?' Now, everyone recognizes the importance of our role in protecting the crops."

"The people here are entirely dependent on this harvest. If it gets destroyed, our situation will worsen," Yasmin added.