Hunting for truffles in Iraq's Samawa desert - in pictures

Besides the harsh environment, hunters face the threat of desert predators and munitions left over from the Gulf War

The Iraqi city of Samawa sits about 265 kilometres south of Baghdad on the Euphrates River. Home to about 150,000 people, Samawa hosts vineyards and orchards, carpet-making and heavy industries. Samawa is also the place where families have braved the sun to dig truffles from the dry soil. Ten-year-old Salma Mohsen shows off a truffle he took from the desert. Reuters

Truffles from Samawa have fetched $7 a kilo this year. Reuters

Truffle hunter Abu Jakka Farhan in the desert at Samawa, Iraq. Reuters

Besides the harsh environment, hunters face the threat of desert predators and munitions left over from the Gulf War as they dig. Reuters

A woman extracts truffles from the soil in the desert at Samawa, Iraq. Reuters

Truffle hunter Zahra Buheir, 72, smokes a cigarette. "Here it is, the truffle, a blessing from God!" she said. "Rain came, and then thunder, bringing truffles up to the surface." Reuters

Zahra Buheir, 72, a truffle hunter, makes bread in the desert in Samawa, Iraq. Reuters

Trader Raad Abdelemir sorts truffles in a tent at a market in Samawa, Iraq. Reuters

A truffle seller and his wares at a market in Samawa, Iraq. Reuters

A man buys truffles at a market in the city of Samawa, Iraq. Reuters

Truffles are prepared at the Beit Al Hatab restaurant in the city of Samawa, Iraq. Reuters

Truffles are served at the Beit Al Hatab restaurant in Samawa, Iraq. Reuters

More galleries from The National:

Dihad conference and exhibition at Dubai World Trade Centre

Displaced Syrian builds model of Palmyra from memory

Iraqi Mandaeans perform baptism rituals during the Benja festival

Iran shows off new ‘missile city’ hidden underground