Landmine Blast Kills 16 Truffle Hunters in Syria

A devastating landmine explosion in Syria’s al-Raqqa province claimed the lives of at least 16 people, including nine women, while they were collecting truffles in the Sabkha region, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The incident occurred on Saturday in the eastern rural area of al-Raqqa, a region still reeling from the remnants of the Islamic State (IS) group, which is suspected to have planted the landmine. In addition to the fatalities, at least six people sustained severe injuries. This event adds to a growing toll, with the observatory reporting a total of 74 deaths from landmine explosions and other ordnances across Syria since the beginning of 2024. The ongoing danger of unexploded ordnance continues to pose a significant risk to civilians in areas previously under IS control, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive mine clearance operations and awareness programs to prevent further loss of life.