The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that at least 13 people, truffle pickers, lost their lives as a result of the explosion of a mine left by ISIS mercenaries in the Raqqa desert.

The Syrian desert is famous for producing some of the best truffles in the world. These mushrooms are sold at high prices in a country hit by more than a decade of war and a crushing economic crisis. Something that makes collecting truffles a lucrative business.

According to SOHR, ISIS mercenaries often target those who go to remote areas to collect truffles.

Despite frequent warnings, this high-risk activity continues. According to the balance sheet published by SOHR, hundreds of people, mostly civilians, lost their lives in attacks by ISIS mercenaries or mine explosions while collecting truffles in 2023.