On Saturday, 3 civilians were killed while collecting truffles in northern Syria as a result of an attack launched by gunmen affiliated with ISIS cells, during which at least 26 others were kidnapped, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
And the Observatory reported that, “Gunmen likely affiliated with ISIS cells targeted workers collecting truffles in the Khanaser desert in the southeastern countryside of Aleppo.”
He explained that the attackers “killed 3 workers with knives, and kidnapped at least 26 others, including women, to an unknown destination.”
Since the start of the truffle collection season in February, the organization has repeatedly launched attacks targeting workers in the vast Syrian desert, punctuated by shootings and kidnappings.
According to the Observatory, at least 139 people, the overwhelming majority of them civilians, have been killed since the beginning of February as a result of surprise attacks launched by the organization or the explosion of mines it planted during its control of large areas in Syria.
Despite the risks, residents of the areas adjacent to the Syrian Badia continue to collect truffles, whose season lasts until April and are sold at a high price, which explains the demand for collecting them in light of difficult economic conditions with the war going on for 12 years.
The price per kilogram ranges between $5 and $25, depending on the quality and size of the fruits.
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