The Islamic State – responsible for 1,805 deaths last year – is the world’s deadliest terrorist organisation, new analysis shows.
The feared jihadist group – also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) – topped a global ranking of the most destructive terror cells.
It expanded its operations to 22 countries and remains the deadliest organisation, with 71% of its activity being in Syria and The Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Global Terrorism Index showed the number of countries recording a terror attack increased from 58 to 66, reversing nearly a decade of improvements, with 45 countries deteriorating and 34 improving.
The four deadliest terrorist groups, ISIS, Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and al-Shabaab, now active in 30 countries, intensified their violence in 2024, driving an 11% rise in fatalities.
In the West, lone wolf attacks account for 93% of fatal attacks over the past five years.
In January Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Texas resident and US Army veteran, drove a rental truck at high-speed into a New Year’s revellers in New Orleans killing 14 and seriously wounding dozens more.
The FBI previously said Jabbar was “100% inspired by ISIS”.
An ISIS flag and what appeared to be an improvised explosive device were later found in the vehicle used in the attack, the agency said. The suspect had posted five videos on social media before the rampage in support of ISIS.
Brit Edward Pettifer, 31, stepson of ex-royal nanny Alexandra Pettifer – known as Tiggy Legge-Bourke – was among those killed in the atrocity in party district in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
Analysis reveals ISIS continues to function as a global network, maintaining its presence across multiple regions through affiliated groups.
Last year it was active in 22 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Despite counterterrorism efforts, the group’s ability to coordinate, inspire, and execute attacks highlights its resilience and evolving operational strategies.
Meanwhile, the number of ongoing conflicts now stands at the highest since the Second World War.
The GTI provides a comprehensive summary of global trends and patterns in terrorism over the last decade. While overall deaths from terrorism dropped in 2024 activity remains “highly active”, perpetuating violence and instability.
The simmering Gaza conflict intensified instability in the Middle East and has fuelled hate crimes in the West, notably the UK, while terrorism deaths surged in Iran.
The deadliest terror groups escalated their violence, resulting in an 11% rise in terrorism fatalities.
The most terror fatalities were in Burkina Faso – responsible for one fifth of all deaths globally – Pakistan and Syria.
A spokesman said: “The findings underscore the persistent and evolving threat of terrorism worldwide. While counterterrorism efforts have weakened some groups, others continue to expand, particularly in unstable regions such as the Sahel, South Asia, and the Middle East, fed in part by the root causes of extremism including political instability, economic deprivation and ideological radicalisation.”
Andrzej Kacorzyk, Director of the International Center for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust, which is hosting an upcoming conference titled Is Memory Enough in the 21st Century, added: “We will discuss the significance of memory in shaping the modern world and our shared moral responsibility.
“We deeply believe that an international debate will provide a unique opportunity to examine the main topic from multiple perspectives and to jointly seek solutions to contemporary dangers and challenges, especially given that, according to the [index] the number of ongoing conflicts in the world is at its highest since World War II.”
In the UK the terrorism threat level remains “substantial”.
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