Why the truffle hunters are being targeted remains unclear. It could be because the hunting involves dogs, which are unclean in Islam, although an exception is made in the relevant hadith for hunting dogs: “Ibn Mughaffal reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) ordered killing of the dogs, and then said: What about them, i. e. about other dogs? and then granted concession (to keep) the dog for hunting and the dog for (the security) of the herd, and said: When the dog licks the utensil, wash it seven times, and rub it with earth the eighth time.” — Sahih Muslim 551
Why did the jihadis cut their throats? “When you meet the unbelievers, strike the necks…” (Qur’an 47:4)
“Islamic State Group Kills 15 Truffle Hunters In Syria: Monitor,” Agence France Presse, March 24, 2023 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):
The Islamic State group killed 15 people foraging for desert truffles in conflict-ravaged central Syria by cutting their throats, while 40 others are missing, a war monitor said Friday.
Since February, at least 150 people — most of them civilians — have been killed by IS attacks targeting truffle hunters or by landmines left by the extremists, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Syria’s desert truffles fetch high prices in a country battered by 12 years of war and a crushing economic crisis.
“At least 15 people, including seven civilians and eight local pro-regime fighters, were killed by IS fighters who slit their throats while they were collecting truffles on Thursday,” said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.
Forty others are missing following the attack in Hama province, he added….
Between February and April each year, hundreds of impoverished Syrians search for truffles in the vast Syrian Desert, or Badia — a known hideout for jihadists that is also littered with landmines.
The monitor said that IS was taking advantage of the annual harvest of the desert fungus delicacy to carry out attacks in remote locations.
Foragers risk their lives to collect the delicacies, despite repeated warnings about landmines and IS fighters.
The Syrian Desert is renowned for producing some of the best quality truffles in the world.
The prized fungus can sell for up to $25 per kilo ($11 per pound) depending on size and grade — in a country where the average monthly wage is around $18….
