Syria: Sixteen truffle hunters killed by suspected Islamic State landmine
At least 16 people have been killed in northern Syria while hunting for truffles, according to a UK-based monitor.
The civilians were killed when their vehicle hit a mine in a former stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported.
"Sixteen civilians including at least nine women were killed in the explosion," the monitor said, adding that "others were seriously injured". The incident occurred in the desert in Raqqa province.
IS, which took control of entire sections of the country from 2014, was territorially defeated in March 2019 by an international coalition led by the United States and Kurdish forces.
But cells linked to the group scattered across the desert regularly carry out deadly attacks, particularly during the rainy season between February and April, the only time of year when sand truffles can be collected.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
Sand truffles fetch high prices in Syria, which has been in the midst of an economic crisis after almost 13 years of war.
IS militants often attack residents who go looking for truffles in isolated areas, according to SOHR.
Despite frequent warnings from authorities, the high-risk activity continues.
Eighteen people, most of them civilian truffle collectors, were killed on 6 March in an attack attributed to IS in eastern Syria.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.