Syria: At least 18 people killed in IS terrorist attack on villagers collecting truffles

Islamic State militants attacked truffle hunters in eastern Syria, killing at least 18 people and leaving many injured and missing, the Associated Press reported.

The attack, near the town of Kobajeb in Deir el-Zour province, was one of the deadliest by the Islamic State in over a year, the news agency added.

Despite their defeat in 2019, IS sleeper cells continue to carry out deadly attacks in Syria and neighboring Iraq.

The truffles are a seasonal delicacy that can be sold for a high price and many in Syria, where 90% of the population lives below the poverty line, go out to collect them.