Fewer attacks in Africa, but worrying signs still remain
African states witnessed a series of terrorist operations in November.
Some estimates put these operations at 50, including suicide bombings and assassinations.
They left 208 people dead. Twenty-six of the victims were executed.
The same operations left 58 people injured. Around 100 people were also kidnapped by terrorist groups.
Slight decrease
The same month witnessed a slight decrease in the number of terrorist operations, compared to the previous month when around 51 terrorist operations were carried out, leaving 351 people dead. The same operations included six executions. They also left 556 people injured and included 27 kidnappings.
This slight decrease boils down to efforts by local security forces in fighting terrorist organizations. The same security forces also adopted comprehensive and effective strategies to repel and thwart most terrorist attacks.
The highest number of terrorism victims in November fell in the East African region. The region witnessed 26 terrorist operations, or 52% of the total number of operations that happened in Africa in this month.
Somalia had the lion's share of these operations, where the al-Qaeda-leaning al-Shabaab movement staged 25 attacks, including seven assassinations and a suicide attack. These attacks left 60 people dead and 27 others injured.
Kenya witnessed one attack, namely the kidnapping of four people. This operation caused no loss of life.
Different plans
Nevertheless, these operations constitute a serious indicator, if compared with other regions in the continent.
There is a significant decrease in the number of deaths associated with those operations compared to October.
Some people attribute this decrease to many reasons, most notably the determination of the Somali government to eliminate al-Shabaab and besiege it.
From a military point of view, the Somali state has adopted new security strategies.
The strategies changed the Somali counterterrorism position from a defensive to an offensive one.
The new strategies also include the launch of pre-emptive strikes before terrorist operations occur.
Somali authorities also confiscated all the assets belonging to al-Shabaab in Somalia's banks. They also strengthened their international relations, especially in the field of counterterrorism, and worked to raise the standard of living of the population. This made the terrorist group less capable of drawing in new recruits.
The Sahel region ranked second in terms of the number of terrorist operations and the number of victims.
Twelve terrorist operations took place in the region in November, which makes up 24% of the total number of terrorist operations, taking place in the continent in this month.
These operations left 50 people dead and 15 others injured. The same operations also included the kidnap of eight people.
Burkina Faso was at the forefront of terrorist attacks, where five attacks took place in November. These attacks left 35 people dead and one man injured.
Mali witnessed four operations that left 11 people dead and nine others injured.
Niger witnessed two operations that left four people dead and five others injured. The operations in Mali also included the kidnap of eight people.
Benin was unique in that it witnessed only one operation that left some people injured.
