Maat Releases "Terrorism Index in the Arab Region 2024"… Syria and Somalia Lead as Technology Continues to be Exploited for Recruitment and Funding

Okeil: Terrorism in the Region is Evolving, and Comprehensive Solutions are Needed

Maat for Peace, Development, and Human Rights has issued its annual report on the Terrorism Index in the Arab Region for 2024, which monitors and analyzes the changing patterns of terrorist operations and their impact on regional security. The report reveals a continued rise in terrorist activity in countries suffering from armed conflicts, with the region recording 426 terrorist operations throughout the year, resulting in the deaths of 1,443 individuals among civilians and military personnel, and injuring 1,130 others.

According to the report, Syria ranked first in terms of the number of terrorist operations, witnessing 222 incidents, the majority of which were carried out by ISIS in the Syrian Badiya, targeting infrastructure and military forces. Somalia came in second with 54 operations, as Al-Shabaab continued its attacks, while the ISIS branch in Somalia emerged as a new threat. Yemen, Iraq, and Sudan also recorded high levels of terrorist operations.

Despite this, the report noted a significant decrease in terrorist activity within some Arab countries, such as Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, due to pre-emptive strikes and intelligence cooperation. Additionally, 10 Arab countries remained entirely free from terrorist operations during the year.

Commenting on the report's findings, Ayman Okeil, Chairman of Maat and human rights expert, stated, "The report reflects a concerning reality, as terrorist organizations continue to adapt to the political and security conditions in the region. We observe that terrorism is no longer limited to bombings and armed assaults; it has become more complex, expanding its use of modern technologies and drones, relying on foreign fighters, and exploiting digital platforms for propaganda, recruitment, and fundraising."

Okeil added, "The ongoing political instability in some countries, coupled with the absence of a unified Arab strategy to combat terrorism, has created a fertile environment for the flourishing of terrorist groups. We need a new approach that goes beyond traditional security solutions, focusing on enhancing political stability, cutting off funding sources, and addressing the economic and social issues that terrorist groups exploit to recruit youth."

Okeil warned that 2025 could witness serious shifts in the terrorism landscape, especially with some terrorist groups exploiting regional events such as the war in Gaza to incite further tensions and attempt to expand into new areas, as seen in Oman, which experienced its first terrorist attack in years.

The report recommends the necessity of supporting victims, enhancing legislation to combat terrorist financing, and increasing cooperation with international bodies such as the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. It also calls for a comprehensive Arab study to address the root causes of terrorism and to counter the growing reliance on foreign fighters and digital technologies in executing terrorist operations.

 

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