Report: Terrorism ticking up worldwide

A new report reveals terrorist attacks are on the rise in the world – 24 years after Al Qaeda terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in the U.S. on Sept. 11.

Last year, 66 countries experienced a terrorist attack, up from 58 in 2023, according to the Global Terrorism Impact’s 2024 report (GTI). For the first time in seven years, the number of countries reporting an increase in terrorism (45) exceeded the number reporting improvement (34). 

Pakistan recorded 1,099 terrorist incidents in 2024 – the greatest number of any country and more than double the second highest reported from Syria (430). 

Burkina Faso, an African country in The Sahel, lost more than 1,500 lives to terrorism despite the comparatively lower number of attacks (111). The Sahel region accounted for 51% of global terrorism deaths in 2024, according to the GTI.  

While total deaths from terrorism (7,555) decreased by 13% from 2023 to 2024, the fall was “entirely due to the large spike” from the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel in 2023. Since the peak in 2015, terrorism deaths have decreased by 31%. 

The Islamic State (IS) remains the deadliest terrorist organization, responsible for 1,805 deaths across 22 countries in 2024. Syria reported 708 deaths from 369 IS attacks – more than half of the 559 IS incidents globally. 

IS, originally a formation of Al Qaeda – Osama bin Laden’s terrorist organization responsible for the 9/11 attacks – is one of four major terrorist organizations worldwide. The three others are known as Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and al-Shabaab. 

In 2024, deaths attributed to these four groups increased by 11% to 4,204, and the groups are now active in 30 countries, according to the GTI report. 

Outside of terrorist organizations, the number of lone attacks increased from 32 to 52 in 2024.  

The GTI reported three (unspecified) attacks in the U.S. in 2024. By comparison, the Anti-Defamation League reported 17 terrorist attacks in the U.S., according to ADL’s 2024 Center on Extremism report. In addition, 75% of fatal political violence incidents in the U.S. were terrorist attacks, compared to the 48% between 1975-1979. 

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has vowed to increase the security and defense of the U.S. and continue to present America as a defender of freedom worldwide. 

Recently, he proposed returning the “Department of Defense” to its original name, “Department of War,” as an example of American deterrence against terrorism.  

“The name ‘Department of War,’ more than the current ‘Department of Defense,’ ensures peace through strength, as it demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment’s notice, not just to defend,” Trump said in an executive order. “This name sharpens the Department’s focus on our own national interest and our adversaries’ focus on our willingness and availability to wage war to secure what is ours.”