Syria: at least 13 truffle pickers killed by mine explosion
At least 13 truffle pickers were killed this Sunday in a mine explosion in a desert area of northern Syria.
The NGO Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that 30 people have died in the last ten days while engaging in this activity.
Truffle merchant in Hama, central Syria, March 6, 2023. AFP - LOUAI BESHARA
By: RFI Follow
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With our correspondent in Beirut,
Paul Khalifeh
The truffle pickers, including several women, were killed in the explosion of a mine planted by the Islamic State (IS) group.
The incident occurred in a desert area near the city of Raqqa, former capital of the caliphate self-proclaimed by this extremist organization.
Every year around this time, thousands of Syrians, driven by poverty and misery, travel to the desert regions of the north and center of the country, renowned for producing some of the best truffles in the world.
This highly prized mushroom is resold at high prices, allowing many families to support themselves for a few months.
But the harvest is taking place in dangerous areas, infested by cells of the Islamic State group.
The jihadists attack the pickers and their military escort, seize the harvest as spoils of war and kill the farmers.
The survivors are kidnapped and taken to remote areas of the desert.
Last year, hundreds of civilians, including women and children, as well as dozens of soldiers, were killed by the Islamic State group during the truffle harvesting season.
Also read Syria: an attack on truffle pickers leaves more than 50 dead
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