According to provincial police, the attack occurred in the desert village of Dwezen where the victims were gathering truffles.

Last March 25, 15 people were slaughtered in a similar attack while on February 27, at least 65 civilians were killed when extremists opened machine gun fire on them while they were collecting truffles southeast of the town of Al-Sukhna.

In the vast desert of Al-Badieh, aggressions by the Islamic State are increasing. The group’s members are receiving logistical support, protection and intelligence information from the US military who illegally occupy a base in Tanef, in the eastern part of the country, government officials have denounced.

According to analysts, Daesh resorts, since its defeat in 2018, to gang warfare and attacks supported by clear intelligence instructions to wear down Syrian troops and their allies.

mh/jha/fm