Terrorism is one of the most serious threats to global peace and security. It causes immense human suffering, undermines development, and fuels instability and violence. The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) is a comprehensive measure of the impact of terrorism on 163 countries, covering 99.7% of the world’s population. The GTI ranks countries based on four indicators: the number of terrorist incidents, the number of deaths, the number of injuries, and the level of property damage.
According to the latest GTI report, released in November 2023, the global terrorism index has decreased by 12% compared to the previous year. This is the sixth consecutive year of decline, indicating a significant improvement in the security situation of many countries affected by terrorism. The report analyzes the impact of terrorism on 163 countries, covering 99.7% of the world’s population. It also examines the trends and drivers of terrorism, as well as the policies and strategies to counter it. The main findings of the report are:
- The total number of deaths from terrorism fell by 17% to 13,826 in 2023, the lowest level since 2010.
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The largest reductions in deaths occurred in Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria, and Iraq, which collectively accounted for 65% of all deaths from terrorism in 2023.
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The most impacted region by terrorism in 2023 was South Asia, followed by Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa.
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The country with the highest impact of terrorism in 2023 was Afghanistan, followed by Iraq, Nigeria, Syria, and Somalia.
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The most active terrorist group in 2023 was the Taliban, which was responsible for 29% of all deaths from terrorism. The second most active group was ISIL, which caused 18% of all deaths from terrorism.
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The main drivers of terrorism in 2023 were political instability, civil unrest, state-sponsored violence, and foreign military intervention.
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The most effective strategies to counter terrorism in 2023 were dialogue and negotiations, social and economic development, human rights protection, and counter-radicalization programs.
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The report identified Afghanistan as the country most affected by terrorism in 2020, with a GTI score of 8.82 out of 10. Afghanistan recorded 4,472 deaths from terrorism, accounting for 32% of the global total. The Taliban was responsible for 72% of these deaths, making it the deadliest terrorist group in the world. The withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in 2021 has created a power vacuum that has been filled by the Taliban, which now controls most of the country and poses a serious threat to human rights and democracy.
The second most affected country by terrorism in 2020 was Burkina Faso, with a GTI score of 8.56. Burkina Faso experienced a dramatic increase in terrorism in recent years, as Islamist militants expanded their operations from neighboring Mali and Niger. Burkina Faso recorded 1,138 deaths from terrorism in 2020, a 77% increase from 2019 and a staggering 7,028% increase from 2011. The main perpetrators of these attacks were the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), both affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
The third most affected country by terrorism in 2020 was Somalia, with a GTI score of 8.07. Somalia has been plagued by terrorism for decades, as the central government struggles to assert its authority over the territory and provide basic services to its population.
The main terrorist group operating in Somalia is Al-Shabaab, which is aligned with Al-Qaeda and seeks to establish an Islamic state based on Sharia law. Al-Shabaab carried out 495 attacks in 2020, killing 1,013 people and injuring 1,226.
The fourth most affected country by terrorism in 2020 was Mali, with a GTI score of 7.98. Mali has been facing a complex security crisis since 2012, when a Tuareg rebellion triggered a military coup and allowed Islamist militants to seize control of the northern regions.
Despite the intervention of French and African forces and the signing of a peace agreement in 2015, Mali remains unstable and vulnerable to terrorist attacks. The main groups responsible for these attacks are JNIM and ISGS, which often target security forces, civilians, and international peacekeepers.
The fifth most affected country by terrorism in 2020 was Syria, with a GTI score of 7.81. Syria has been engulfed by a brutal civil war since 2011, which has resulted in over 400,000 deaths and millions of displaced people. The conflict has also attracted various terrorist groups, such as the Islamic State (IS), which at its peak controlled large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq. Although IS has lost most of its territory and leadership, it still maintains a presence in Syria and continues to carry out attacks against government forces, rival rebels, and civilians.
The other five countries that complete the top ten list of countries most affected by terrorism in 2020 are Iraq (GTI score: 7.35), Nigeria (GTI score: 7.07), Yemen (GTI score: 6.66), Pakistan (GTI score: 6.59), and India (GTI score: 6.03). These countries have also suffered from prolonged conflicts, political instability, sectarian violence, and social grievances that have fueled terrorism.
The report concludes that while the global trend of terrorism is declining, there are still significant challenges and risks that need to be addressed. It recommends that governments and international organizations adopt a holistic and inclusive approach to prevent and reduce terrorism, while respecting human rights and the rule of law.
Terrorism is not only a challenge for individual countries but also for the international community as a whole. It requires collective action and cooperation to address its root causes and prevent its spread.