Government forces, NDF clash over truffle hunting in Syrian Desert
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Syrian government forces injured on Friday three militants of their-affiliated the National Defense Forces (NDF) after a dispute over truffle hunting in Deir ez-Zor countryside, east Syria.
The dispute erupted after a group of the Fourth Division, affiliated with the government forces, tried to hinder another group affiliated with the NDF from hunting truffles in the southern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.
Factions affiliated with the government forces, such as the NDF, hire workers to hunt truffles, in return, they pay them low wages.
A military source told North Press that clashes broke out between the two parties, resulting in the injury of three members of the NDF.
The Fourth Division brought military reinforcements to the Syrian Desert and expelled all truffle hunters in the area, according to the source.
The Monitoring and Documentation Department of North Press Agency documented the killing and injury of 266 truffle hunters across Syria at the end of truffle season in 2023.
Each year, hundreds of Syrians risk their lives in the vast Syrian Desert, which produces high-quality truffles. The late winter season is largely seen as an opportunity to earn a good income, due to the high prices paid for the desert delicacy, despite the threats of landmines and Islamic State (ISIS) presence.