| 2023 Al-Sukhnah attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of theSyrian civil war | |
| Location | Desert nearAl-Sukhnah,Homs Governorate, Syria |
| Date | 17 February 2023 |
| Target | Farmers |
Attack type | Massacre |
| Deaths | 68[1] |
| Perpetrators |  Islamic State |
On 17 February 2023, a group ofIslamic Stateinsurgents attacked a large group oftrufflefarmers and theirSyrian Army escort in the desert, southwest of the town ofAl-Sukhnah inHoms Governorate, Syria. At least 61civilians and seven Syrian soldiers were killed in the attack.[1] It was one of the deadliest attacks since the2018 As-Suwayda attacks.[2][3][4][5]
In recent years, many attacks against civilians while truffle hunting in central, north-eastern, and eastern areas of Syria had been noted. The Islamic State's remnants in the country have been known to use desert hideouts to ambush Kurdish-led forces and Syrian government troops, as well as to continue to launch attacks in neighboringIraq, since losing much of their territory following a military campaign supported by a US-led coalition in March 2019.[2] A similar attack on foragers in the same region on 11 February 2023 resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals, mostly civilians, with dozens reportedly kidnapped, and 25 later released.[6]
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