Terrorism Affects 68 Countries in 2024, With Sahel and Pakistan Among the Hardest Hit

Terrorism is one of the biggest problems in the world right now and is a threat to a lot of countries around the world. The number of countries that experienced terrorism attacks in 2024 rose to 68 as compared to 58 in the previous year. In 2024, 34 countries started going towards better conditions but 45 countries started going towards worse conditions. This is the highest number of countries deteriorating because of terrorism since 2018.

According to the data from the Global Terrorism Index, Sahel (a biogeographical region in Africa) is the top epicenter for terrorism in 2024 as well as in 2023. 3,885 deaths were reported due to terrorism in the region, which is almost tenfold since 2019. There was a 94% increase in terrorism-related deaths in Niger, with 930 people being dead because of terrorism.

Data also shows that Pakistan (a South Asian country) is the second most affected country by terrorism, experiencing a 45% increase in terrorism-related deaths over the past year, totaling 1,081 fatalities. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has emerged as the fastest-growing extremist organization globally, responsible for 52% of these deaths in Pakistan during 2024.

Terrorist attacks have also increased in Western democracies, with 67 total incidents recorded in Europe in 2024. The most common type of terrorism right now in Europe is lone actor terrorism by teenagers who do not have any ties with terrorist groups. These teenagers consume problematic and terrorism-related content and become radicalized. Gaming environments, the dark web, fringe forums and encrypted messaging apps also play a role in giving rise to teenagers who perform terrorist attacks.

From a broader perspective, terrorism is not just an isolated issue but a consequence of deeper political and economic manipulations. Governments and power players hold a moral responsibility to genuinely combat terrorism, yet history shows that many exploit it for their own agendas. Countries in Africa and Asia, including Pakistan, often find themselves trapped in a cycle of dependency, where their governments and stakeholders serve the interests of global powers rather than their own people.

Many of these nations remain under the influence of economic giants like the United States and other dominant countries. Instead of addressing terrorism at its roots, global stakeholders shape policies that maintain control over weaker states. These governments, in turn, follow orders, often prioritizing external interests over national stability. This dynamic ensures that terrorism remains an ongoing issue rather than a problem to be solved.

The link between corruption and terrorism runs deep. Corrupt political systems create frustration and instability, which in turn fuel extremism. At the same time, terrorism justifies tighter government control and foreign interventions that benefit those in power. The cycle continues because it serves the interests of both local elites and global players. If there were real intentions to eliminate terrorism, efforts would focus on strengthening independent governance, fair economic policies, and reducing foreign exploitation. Instead, terrorism remains a convenient excuse to sustain influence and control over affected regions.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World