Landmine Kills 14 Truffle Hunters in Syrian Desert
CISR
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(Voice of America) A landmine, believed to be planted by the Islamic State group, killed 14 people and injured eight in Syria's Raqqa desert as they were foraging for truffles. The Syrian desert, known for high-quality truffles, poses risks due to the presence of landmines, especially in the Badia region, a jihadi hideout. Despite warnings, foragers take the risk to collect truffles between February and April each year. The Islamic State lost its territorial control in 2019, but remnants persist in desert hideouts, launching attacks on civilians, Kurdish forces, Syrian troops, and pro-Iran fighters, underscoring ongoing security challenges in the region.