Terrorism - statistics & facts
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In 2024, the deadliest terrorist attack worldwide happened on July 21st, in Niger near the Malian border, when over 300 jihadist assailants killed 237 soldiers. Although the number of terrorist attacks worldwide has decreased since 2020, a worrying trend is the increasing presence of terrorist organizations in several African countries in recent years. Indeed, in 2024, six out of the ten countries with the highest number of fatalities due to terrorism, were Sub-Saharan countries.
On the other hand, Europe suffered fewer attacks in recent years, compared to the mid-2010s. Indeed, in terms of fatalities, four of the ten worst terrorist attacks since 1980 took place between 2015 and 2017. However, the West is still struggling with implementing measures to fight terrorist organizations evolving with their time and making use of digital technologies to radicalize and recruit new followers.
Jihadist terrorism in the 21st century
In recent years, radical Islamist groups have been among the most active and deadliest terrorist organizations worldwide. The different branches of the Islamic State present in many countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, were responsible for a combined 4,200 deaths in 2023 alone. Both pretending to be ideologically religious and aiming for political control of territories, Islamist groups, and the violence they generate usually thrive on poor governance, poverty, and inter-communal conflict. This logic has not spared countries like Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, where the rise in violence and terror acts recorded in the region directly affects their civilian population.On the other hand, Europe suffered fewer attacks in recent years, compared to the mid-2010s. Indeed, in terms of fatalities, four of the ten worst terrorist attacks since 1980 took place between 2015 and 2017. However, the West is still struggling with implementing measures to fight terrorist organizations evolving with their time and making use of digital technologies to radicalize and recruit new followers.
