Terrorism Expands Geographically in 2024
Global Terrorism Trends 2024: Sahel Region and Western Nations Face Rising Threat: The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2024 reveals that the number of countries witnessing at least one terrorist incident rose from 58 in 2023 to 66 in 2024. This growth signals the geographic spread of terrorism, reaching regions that were previously considered less vulnerable, highlighting the resurgence of global extremist threats.
Sahel: The World’s Terror Epicentre
The Sahel region of Africa has become the global centre of terrorism, accounting for over 50% of terrorism-related deaths in 2024. Burkina Faso remains the most impacted country, with Niger also recording a steep rise in fatalities. This trend places the Sahel at the core of global counter-terrorism challenges.
Terrorism Surge in the West and Europe
There has been a 63% rise in attacks across Western nations, with Europe alone witnessing 67 terror attacks in 2024—double the previous year. Seven Western countries now rank among the top 50 most affected, reflecting a resurgence of ideologically-driven and lone-wolf terrorism in developed regions.
Islamic State: Still the Deadliest Terror Group
The Islamic State (IS) remains the most lethal terrorist group globally in 2024. It has expanded operations to 22 countries, actively engaging in conflict zones such as Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). IS continues to evolve as a transnational extremist threat.
India’s Global Terrorism Rank and Outlook
India ranks 14th among the countries most affected by terrorism in 2024. While large-scale incidents remain low, insurgencies in northeastern states and sporadic attacks in conflict-prone areas contribute to the ranking. India’s robust counter-terrorism mechanisms play a key role in limiting the impact of terrorist networks.
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Global Terrorism Trends 2024: Sahel Region and Western Nations Face Rising Threat:
| Feature | Details |
| Number of countries with incidents (2024) | 66 (up from 58 in 2023) |
| Most Affected Region | Sahel, Africa |
| Worst-Affected Country | Burkina Faso |
| Countries with Largest Increase in Deaths | Niger and Pakistan |
| Rise in Terrorist Attacks in the West | 63% increase |
| Europe Terror Attacks in 2024 | 67 (doubled from previous year) |
| Islamic State Reach | Active in 22 countries (Syria, DRC, etc.) |
| India’s Rank | 14th most impacted country |
| Source | Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2024 |
