Terrorism deaths are down, but still widespread issue

DW- For the third consecutive year, deaths caused by terrorism have globally decreased, according to the Global Terrorism Index’s (GTI) 2018 report, published on Wednesday by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

“The total number of deaths fell by 27%, between 2016 and 2017, with the largest declines in Iraq and Syria,” the report showed.The Islamic State (IS) tops the list of deadliest terror groups, but far-right extremism is also on the rise.

However, despite the two Middle Eastern countries witnessing the biggest improvement in sheer numbers, they still ranked in the top three countries most impacted by terrorism.

In total, Iraq recorded 5,000 fewer deaths, as a result of terrorism last year, while Syria had 1,000 fewer deaths, compared to 2016.

The military defeat of the militant group, the IS in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), resulted in the significant drop in terrorism-related deaths in the Middle East, and in Europe.

According to the report, “The IS in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has now lost most of its territory and sources of revenue. ”Yet, it added, “Despite its reduced capacity, ISIL remains the deadliest terrorist group globally in 2017.”

In Europe, the number of deaths fell by 75%. “Europe was the region with the biggest improvement, and recorded a marked fall in terrorist activity, despite the threat of returnees and online radicalisation,” the report claimed.

In western Europe, the number of deaths fell from 168 in 2016, to 81 in 2017.The most significant decline was noted in Germany, Turkey, France, and Belgium. While the UK, Sweden, Finland, Spain, and Austria saw a rise in numbers.

However, the number of terrorist incidents went up in Europe from 253, to 282 in 2017.

The report noted that right-wing extremism “is a growing concern”. The number of deaths resulting from this type of terrorism, rose to 17 in 2017, from three in 2014. Most of the perpetrators acted alone, and harboured white nationalism, and antiMuslim beliefs.

The GTI is published annually, and analyses the impact of terrorism on 163 countries. It defines terrorism as “the threatened or actual use of illegal force and violence by a non-state actor to attain a political, economic, religious, or social goal through fear, coercion, or intimidation.”