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A chilling 22% surge in global terrorism-related deaths has been recorded, marking the highest level since 2017, according to the latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI) from the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). The comprehensive annual study, which analyzes the impact of terrorism in 163 countries, reveals a disturbing trend of escalating violence, with a total of 8,352 fatalities in the past year.
The GTI scores countries on a scale of zero to 10, where 10 signifies the most significant impact of terrorism. While the full report offers an in-depth analysis, preliminary findings paint a grim picture for several nations, with Israel notably rising in the rankings following the devastating Hamas attacks in October 2023.
The United States ranks 30th with a GTI score of 4.14. While recent incidents (7), fatalities (16), injuries (11), and hostages (0) are relatively low, the inclusion of the September 11, 2001 attacks serves as a historical benchmark of terrorism's potential devastation.
Turkey (GTI: 4.17, Rank: 29) recalls the 2003 Istanbul synagogue bombings (30 killed, hundreds injured). Recent data shows 4 incidents, 2 fatalities, and 2 injuries.
Thailand (GTI: 4.22, Rank: 28) mourns the 2015 Bangkok shrine bombing (20 killed, 120+ injured). Recent figures indicate 12 incidents, 6 fatalities, and 24 injuries.
Uganda (GTI: 4.38, Rank: 27) experienced a horrific school attack in June 2023 (41 killed, 8 injured, 6 hostages). Recent data: 5 incidents, 42 fatalities, 2 injuries, 6 hostages.
Iran (GTI: 4.46, Rank: 26) faced a deadly bombing in Kerman in January 2024 (nearly 90 killed). Recent data: 14 incidents, 22 fatalities, 19 injuries, 0 hostages.
Togo (GTI: 4.67, Rank: 25) saw an attack on a security post in November 2021. Recent data: 12 incidents, 41 fatalities, 23 injuries, 4 hostages.
Benin (GTI: 4.90, Rank: 24) endured an attack on a military outpost in December 2021 (2 soldiers killed). Recent data: 23 incidents, 49 fatalities, 9 injuries, 17 hostages.
Yemen (GTI: 4.95, Rank: 23) witnessed a deadly ISIS attack in Aden in 2018 (14 killed, 40 wounded). Recent data: 22 incidents, 41 fatalities, 46 injuries, 0 hostages.
Palestine (GTI: 4.97, Rank: 22) saw a surge in Israeli settler violence in the West Bank in 2022 (154 Palestinians killed). Recent data: 83 incidents, 29 fatalities, 74 injuries, 0 hostages. The 2016 Baghdad bombing (340 civilians killed) is a stark reminder of past tragedies.
Niger (GTI: 7.27, Rank: 10) suffered the loss of at least 29 soldiers in jihadi attacks in October 2023. Recent data: 61 incidents, 468 fatalities, 166 injuries, 32 hostages.
Myanmar (GTI: 7.54, Rank: 9) experienced the Pinlaung massacre in March 2023 (at least 30 civilians killed). Recent data: 444 incidents, 354 fatalities, 231 injuries, number of hostages unavailable.
Nigeria (GTI: 7.58, Rank: 8) remembers the horrific Baga massacre by Boko Haram in 2015 (as many as 2,000 killed). Recent data: 145 incidents, 524 fatalities, 89 injuries, 147 hostages.
Somalia (GTI: 7.81, Rank: 7) faced an al-Shabab attack on a Mogadishu hotel in March 2024 (3 soldiers killed, 27 injured). Recent data: 193 incidents, 434 fatalities, 436 injuries, 82 hostages.
Afghanistan (GTI: 7.83, Rank: 6) witnessed the devastating Kabul airport bombing in August 2021 (13 US service members and 170 Afghans killed). Recent data: 67 incidents, 119 fatalities, 229 injuries, 0 hostages.
Syria (GTI: 7.89, Rank: 5) endured a car bombing in Tal Abyad in November 2019 (at least 13 killed). Recent data: 320 incidents, 650 fatalities, 767 injuries, 110 hostages.
Pakistan (GTI: 7.92, Rank: 4) recalls the horrific Peshawar school massacre in 2014 (150 killed, mostly students). Recent data: 490 incidents, 689 fatalities, 1173 injuries, 24 hostages.
Mali (GTI: 8.00, Rank: 3) experienced the Radisson Blu hotel attack in Bamako in 2015 (20 killed, 170 hostages taken). Recent data: 253 incidents, 753 fatalities, 390 injuries, 69 hostages.
Israel (GTI: 8.14, Rank: 2) has seen a significant surge in its GTI score following the unprecedented attacks on October 7, 2023.
Burkina Faso (GTI: 8.57, Rank: 1) remains the most affected country, recalling the massacres in Solhan and Tadaryat in June 2021 (at least 174 killed). Recent data: 258 incidents, 1907 fatalities, 442 injuries, 144 hostages.
The latest GTI data underscores a worrying global trend, with specific regions and nations bearing a disproportionate burden of terrorist violence. The inclusion of Israel at a high ranking reflects the immediate and devastating impact of the recent Hamas attacks, highlighting the dynamic and unpredictable nature of global terrorism. The full report is expected to provide further crucial insights into the evolving patterns and drivers of this global threat.
