2023 Al-Sukhnah attack explained
On 17 February 2023, a group of Islamic State insurgents attacked a large group of truffle farmers and their Syrian Army escort in the desert, southwest of the town of Al-Sukhnah in Homs Governorate, Syria. At least 61 civilians and seven Syrian soldiers were killed in the attack. It was one of the deadliest attacks since the 2018 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 neighboring Iraq, since losing much of their territory following a military campaign supported by a US-led coalition in March 2019. 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]
Notes and References
- News: Suspected IS Attack In Syria Death Toll Rises To 68: Monitor . en-US . 2023-02-18 . 2023-02-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219093716/https://www.barrons.com/news/suspected-is-attack-in-syria-death-toll-rises-to-68-monitor-505be31e . live .
- News: At least 53 killed in ISIS attack in Syria: State TV. 17 February 2023. Alarabiyah.net. 17 February 2023. 17 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230217200233/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/02/17/ISIS-attack-kills-36-civilians-in-Syria-Monitor. live.
- News: Death toll rises to more than 60 in Syria attack attributed to Islamic State group. 18 February 2023. France24. 18 February 2023. 18 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230218081034/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20230218-more-than-50-people-killed-in-syria-attack-attributed-to-islamic-state-group. live.
- News: Suspected ISIS attack kills over 50 in Syrian desert. 18 February 2023. Kurdistan24. 18 February 2023. 18 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230218124942/https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/30719-Suspected-ISIS-attack-kills-over-50-in-Syrian-desert. live.
- News: 53 Killed In Ambush Blamed On ISIS, Deadliest Attack In Syria In A Year. NDTV.com. 18 February 2023. 18 February 2023. 18 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230218124941/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/isis-syria-53-killed-in-ambush-blamed-on-isis-deadliest-attack-in-syria-in-a-year-3792937. live.
- Web site: 16 February 2023 . Spotlight on Global Jihad (February 9-15, 2023) . 18 February 2023 . 17 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217110106/https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/spotlight-on-global-jihad-february-9-15-2023/ . live .
