The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 19 people, most of whom had been civilians, have been kidnapped by ISIS in central Syria.

Arab News reports that Syrian regime forces came under attack by the group in the Badia desert. Eight policemen and 11 civilians were taken. Inhabitants from the small village of Al-Saan in Hama province, were abducted when they went looking for truffles. Further, some were wounded in the attack and had had to be hospitalized.

According to Arab News, ISIS fighters have increased their attacks against regime forces in recent months in the Badia desert, which stretches across central Syria to the eastern border with Iraq. Civilians, shepherds and soldiers have been abducted. Of those abducted, Syrian regime forces are usually killed.

While ISIS was expelled from the last of their territory in eastern Syria in March 2019, the group has reportedly managed to retain dominance in the colossal Badia desert.

Umm Muhammed Umar