Slight decrease in terrorist attacks in Africa in July

Mahmud al-Batakoshi

Terrorist operations in Africa dropped slightly during July, compared to June of the same year.

The drop amounted to 5.5%, with 34 terrorist operations taking place in this month.

They varied between bombings and assassinations. The same operations caused 254 deaths, and 126 injured and resulted in the kidnapping of two people.

There were 36 terrorist operations in June. These operations caused 295 deaths and 114 injuries, whereas 70 people were kidnapped during that month.

Horn of Africa

The East and Horn of Africa region came in first place in terms of the number of operations, and in second place in terms of the number of deaths.

The troubled region witnessed 16 terrorist attacks. This is equivalent to 47.1% of the total number of terrorist operations taking place in Africa in July.

These attacks resulted in 57 deaths and 73 injuries.

Somalia was the most affected in terms of the number of operations. It was attacked by al-Shabaab terrorist movement which staged 12 operations, including four assassinations and suicides.

These attacks killed 44 people, and injured 58 others.

Kenya, which is witnessing successive attacks, was the scene of three operations that resulted in three deaths and 15 injuries.

Resource curse

In Mozambique, the expansion of ISIS increases threats to energy projects.

The terrorist organization staged a terrorist operation in Mozambique. This attack left ten people dead.

It confirmed the view that the terrorist threat in that region is developing and increasing, despite the tireless efforts by the Somali and Kenyan authorities in the face of al-Shabaab.

The growing terrorist threat also points to insufficient security presence, especially after the withdrawal of African troops from Somalia.

The Sahel and Sahara region came in second place in terms of the number of operations, and in first place in terms of the number of victims.

The region witnessed nine terrorist attacks, which is equivalent to 26.5% of the total number of terrorist operations that took place in Africa in July.

These attacks left 126 people dead and 42 others injured.

Burkina Faso witnessed seven terrorist operations that left 117 people dead and ten others injured.

Niger was the scene of one terrorist incident that killed five civilians and injured 19 others.

Mali witnessed a terrorist operation that killed four people and injured 13 others.

West Africa

In the West African region, known for the increasing activity of ISIS West Africa and Boko Haram, six terrorist operations took place.

These operations made up 17.6% of the total number of terrorist operations taking place in Africa in July.