ISIS kills 26 truffle hunters in Syria’s Hama
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Islamic State (ISIS) killed on Sunday 26 truffle hunters in the eastern countryside of Hama, central west Syria.
The state-run SANA News Agency said, citing a source in Police Command of the Syrian government forces, that ISIS attacked a group of locals in the village of Duizen, in the eastern countryside of Hama, killing 26 citizens while collecting truffles.
In truffle hunting season, hundreds of truffle hunters have gone missing under mysterious circumstances, some of whom were killed by militants or mines, while others were kidnapped. The fate of many is still unknown.
Each year, hundreds of Syrians risk their lives in the vast Syrian Desert, which is rich in 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 ISIS presence.
ISIS lost its final stronghold in Syria in March 2019. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with the support of the US-led Global Coalition, defeated ISIS after fierce battles in the town of Baghouz in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, bringing an end to the so-called caliphate declared by the terrorist ISIS.