LONDON: Heavy losses for jihadist and militant groups in Syria and Iraq fuelled a 33-per-cent drop in global terror attacks in 2018, with fatalities falling to a 10-year low, defence analyst Jane’s said on Wednesday.

The downswing in attacks led to civilian fatalities falling by more than a quarter, according to the annual Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre (JTIC) Global Attack Index released by business information provider IHS Markit.

“Over the course of 2018 JTIC recorded a worldwide total of 15,321 attacks by non-state armed groups, which resulted in a total of 13,483 non-militant fatalities”, said Matthew Henman, head of JTIC.

The annual civilian toll from terror attacks is the lowest since JTIC began collecting “comprehensive event data” in 2009.

IS attacks decreased by almost three-quarters, although the group was still the deadliest in the world.

“Islamic State territorial losses were a central reason for decreasing attacks in Syria,” said Henman.

“Another key element in the downturn in violence in Syria was the increase in government control of territory,” he added.

Losses in Iraq also “noticeably reduced the group’s capacity to operate territorially, switching instead to lower intensity insurgent operations”.

Afghanistan displaced Syria as the most dangerous country, with attacks rising by almost one-third.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.