By Anas al-Bar | 2024-05-14

Iraq recorded its largest decline in the number of terrorist operations in 2023, as did other countries in the region, data show, with the epicenter of terrorism now conclusively shifted out of the Middle East and into Africa's Sahel region.

Analysts say the reported decline in terrorism indicators is due to the continued coordination and successful military operations carried out by the United States and its partners in the Middle East.

The Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) presented the finding in its Global Terrorism Index (GTI), which provides a comprehensive summary of the key global trends in terrorism.

Per the report, Iraq is witnessing significant security improvements, with deaths from terrorism in 2023 falling 99%, to 69 deaths in total, since their peak in 2007, while incidents of terrorism fell by 90%.

Worldwide, terrorist incidents decreased by 22%, to 3,350, with the number of countries that reported terrorist incidents decreasing to 50.

But the indicators also show that deaths from terrorism across the globe increased by 22% to 8,352 deaths, the highest since 2017.

"The rise in deaths but fall in number of incidents shows how terrorism is becoming more concentrated and more lethal," the report said.

The "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) and its affiliates remained the deadliest group globally for the ninth consecutive year. They were directly responsible for attacks in 20 countries in 2023.

More than half of terrorism-related deaths were concentrated in the central Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa.

ISIS weakened in Middle East

"ISIS lost most of its strength and its active structure disintegrated after suffering its harshest defeat in Iraq, Syria and North Africa," Iraqi political analyst Tariq al-Shammari told Al-Fassel.

The low level of terrorist activities in the region is the result of "years of sacrifices and efforts" among the United States, its regional and international partners, and members of local communities, he said.

The US-led military campaign against ISIS and the US training provided to Iraqi and Kurdish forces in Syria contributed to the destruction of the group's leadership and resources, he said.

Al-Shammari stressed the importance of protecting these gains by continuing "offensive operations and joint coordination" with the United States and allies.

He also warned of the danger of conflicts and the security vacuum in parts of Africa, specifically in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.

These conflicts are providing fertile ground for the growth, expansion and revitalization of ISIS's local branch, known as ISIS-Sahel Province, he said.