ISIS attacks truffle hunters in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Militants of the Islamic State (ISIS) clashed on Sunday evening with the National Defense Forces (NDF), a pro-Syrian government militia, and armed individuals accompanying truffle hunters in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria.
A local source told North Press the clashes erupted near an asphalt mine in the Bishri desert in the west of Deir ez-Zor.
The source said the clashes resulted in casualties without giving further details.
Meanwhile, a source in the Syrian government forces said they managed to push back a heavy attack by the Islamic State (ISIS) sleeper cells on their posts between the town of al-Sukhnah and the village of Tayba in the east of Homs.
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 ISIS presence.