AT least 31 people searching for valuable truffles in the Syrian desert have been killed by the Islamic State (IS) group, human rights activists have said.
Civilians and military personnel were among the victims of the armed attack.
IS militants have repeatedly preyed on those searching for the mushrooms, with more than 150 people killed this year.
A kilogram of the fungus can fetch more than the country’s average monthly wage.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which relies on a wide network of sources on the ground in Syria, said “civilians and at least 12 pro-regime fighters” were among those killed in the attack east of the city of Hama.
Searching for the truffles is extremely dangerous as hunters contend with landmines and IS fighters maintain hideouts in the desert where they grow.
But many who face poverty and unemployment exacerbated by Syria’s war risk the dangers as the fungus can sell for up to US$25 (£20) per kg depending on size and grade in a country where the average monthly wage is around $18 (£14).
The window of time in which to make money is small as the truffle season only lasts from February to April.
There have been several attacks on foragers in recent months, with women and children among the victims.
Last month, 15 truffle hunters were killed in central Syria, according to the SOHR. Dozens of others were also reported to have gone missing.
