Syria: At least 31 truffle hunters killed in suspected IS attack, says war monitor

The United Kingdom-basedwar monitor, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), reported that a group of suspected Islamic State (IS) militantskilled at least 31people in central Syria on Sunday (April 16). The killings comeat a time when there has been an increase in the number of attacks against people foraging for desert truffles.

The alleged attack on Sunday took place in the desert east and the central city of Hama where "atotal of 31 people, including 12 pro-regime fighters"werekilled,said the UK-based organisation. Earlier the SOHR hadreported the death of at least 26 people, a figure confirmed by the official Syrian news agency SANA.

In a separate incident, on Saturday, suspected IS militants killed four shepherds in the eastern Syrian region of Deir Ezzor, said the Observatory, as per AFP. It added that they reportedly carried automatic rifles, rode motorbikes, and also stole the sheep before fleeing.

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According to the SOHR, as of early 2023, at least “117 civilians, including a woman, were killed in attacks by ISIS in the Syrian desert.” This incident also comes days after multiple workers foraging for truffles were killed when their vehicle hit a landmine.

Nine truffle hunters were killed in Deir Ez-Zor province, on April 9, as per the SOHR. Whereas, the Syrian state-run SANA news agency reported six casualties and blamed the IS for the land mine. The group also said how the “truffle trap” continues claiming more civilians’ lives who risk their lives searching for it and seeking their livelihood.

Truffles in Syria are a seasonal delicacy found underground in the desert, and the SOHR has also mentioned previously how these truffles foragers are particularly vulnerable to land mines and IS militants since they work in large groups in remote areas. Additionally, these desert truffles are able to fetch high prices in a country which has been battered by over a decade of war and economic crisis.

Earlier this year, at least 53 truffle hunters were killed after IS sleeper cells attacked workers near the central town of Sukhna. In recent months, the militants have also abducted, held for ransom, and even killed truffle hunters. Since February, more than 200 people, mostly civilians have been killed in IS attacks targeting truffle hunters, said the Observatory.

(With inputs from agencies)

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