Sahel accounts for nearly half of all terror-related deaths: report
## Global Terrorism Report 2025: Sahel Region Analysis
Global Terrorism Report 2025: Sahel Region Analysis
The Sahel region of Africa has been identified as a significant area of concern in the Global Terrorism Report 2025, accounting for nearly half of all global terrorism-related deaths for the third consecutive year.
The Global Terrorism Index, compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace, assesses 163 countries based on terrorism impact indicators such as the number of attacks, deaths, injuries, and hostages. Terrorism is defined in the report as the systematic threat or use of violence by non-state actors.
In 2024, more than half of the 7,555 terrorism-related deaths worldwide occurred in the Sahel, a semi-arid region stretching from the Atlantic to the Red Sea. In 2025, nearly half of the 5,582 deaths attributed to terrorism were in the Sahel, although the total number of fatalities in the region decreased.
The Sahel region of Africa has been identified as a significant area of concern in the Global Terrorism Report 2025, accounting for nearly half of all global terrorism-related deaths for the third consecutive year.
The Sahel has seen a tenfold increase in terrorism fatalities since 2007. The epicenter of terrorism has shifted from the Middle East and North Africa to the Sahel region.
Burkina Faso was the most affected country globally for two consecutive years but was overtaken by Pakistan in 2025. Pakistan recorded 1,139 terrorism deaths and 1,045 incidents in 2025, the highest level since 2013, partly due to the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan. Burkina Faso experienced a 45% decrease in deaths in 2025, mainly due to an 84% reduction in civilian casualties. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has shifted its focus to military targets. Niger moved to third place with an increase in terrorism incidents, reporting 703 deaths, more than half of which were civilians. Nigeria rose to fourth place on the index, with 750 fatalities in 2025, marking the highest death toll since 2020. Mali saw a decline in deaths, ranking fifth with 341 fatalities compared to 604 in 2024.
The Islamic State group and JNIM are responsible for most attacks in the Sahel. There is also an expansion of jihadist activities to West Africa's coastal countries, notably Benin, which moved up to 19th place on the index.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
