Headline: Sahel Emerges as Global Terrorism Epicenter, Surpassing Middle East and North Africa
The Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa has become the deadliest hotspot for terrorism worldwide, accounting for nearly half of all global terrorism-related fatalities in recent years, according to the latest data. This marks a significant shift from the Middle East and North Africa, which previously dominated global terrorism statistics.
The Global Terrorism Index 2026, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, reveals that the Sahel has led global terrorism figures for three consecutive years. Data from ACLED, a conflict-tracking organization, further underscores the escalating violence in the region, where jihadist groups are expanding their operations and adapting their tactics.
A Decade of Escalating Violence
The Sahel, a vast semi-arid region stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, includes countries such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Nigeria, and Sudan. Since 2007, terrorism-related fatalities in the Sahel have increased tenfold, making it the new epicenter of global terrorism.
In 2024, more than half of the 7,555 global terrorism deaths occurred in the Sahel. This trend continued in 2025, with nearly half of the 5,582 fatalities worldwide recorded in the region. Despite a slight decline in total fatalities compared to the previous year, the Sahel remains the most affected area, with its countries consistently ranking among the top five globally for terrorism.
Jihadist Expansion and Shifting Tactics
The rise in violence is primarily attributed to the growing influence of jihadist groups, including Islamic State affiliates and JNIM, an Al-Qaeda-linked organization active in Burkina Faso. These groups have expanded their operations across borders, targeting military forces and civilians alike.
“In 2025, JNIM shifted its focus towards targeting soldiers rather than civilians and extended its reach into western and southern Mali,” said Heni Nsaibia, ACLED’s senior analyst for West Africa. Niger’s southern Dosso region and Nigeria have also seen increased militant activity, while Benin experienced its deadliest year to date due to JNIM’s violent campaigns.
Additionally, kidnapping of foreigners in Mali and Niger reached an all-time high in 2025, and economic warfare has become a defining feature of the conflict. Non-state armed groups have also intensified the use of drone warfare, further complicating efforts to curb violence.
Regional Shifts and Global Trends
Twenty years ago, the Sahel accounted for just 1% of global terrorism deaths. Today, it is at the forefront of a crisis that has spread to coastal West Africa, with Benin now facing similar conflict dynamics as its northern neighbors. Burkina Faso, previously the most affected country, saw a 45% drop in fatalities in 2025, largely due to an 84% reduction in civilian casualties. However, Niger and Nigeria experienced significant increases in deaths, rising to third and fourth places, respectively, on the terrorism index.
Globally, terrorism-related deaths fell by 28% in 2025, with attacks dropping nearly 22%. Only 19 countries recorded worsening conditions, the lowest number since the index began. Pakistan overtook Burkina Faso as the most affected country, with terrorism deaths reaching their highest level since 2013, fueled in part by the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan.
A Humanitarian Crisis Beyond Numbers
While statistics provide a snapshot of the violence, experts warn that the conflict’s broader impact is often overlooked. “Numbers only tell a part of the story,” Nsaibia emphasized. The growing disregard for civilian harm in the Sahel and across Africa represents a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Geopolitical changes and conflicts elsewhere in the world have also diverted international attention from Africa, leaving the Sahel to grapple with its challenges largely on its own.
As the Sahel continues to bear the brunt of global terrorism, the need for coordinated international efforts to address the root causes of violence has never been more urgent.
— Reported by Nexio News
