Analysis of activity of terrorist organizations in African countries during August 2023
The index of terrorist operations launched by extremist
organizations in Africa continued its gradual decline. The month of August 2023
recorded a relative decrease compared to July of the same year, at a rate of
5.9%.
The month of August witnessed 32 terrorist operations, and
this decrease naturally led to a decrease in the number of victims during this
month.
According to a study prepared by the Al-Azhar Observatory
for Combating Extremism, terrorist operations resulted in 219 dead, 74 injured,
and the kidnapping of 55 people, while the number of terrorist operations in
July had reached 36, resulting in 254 dead, 126 people injured, and two others
kidnapped.
Decrease
It is noteworthy that the index of terrorist operations in
Africa for the month of July 2023 decreased from the previous month by two
terrorist operations, as the month of June recorded 36 operations, which in
turn resulted in the killing of 259 people, the injury of 114, and the
kidnapping of 70 others.
According to statistics, the Sahel and Sahara region came in
first place in terms of the number of operations and the number of victims. The
affected area witnessed 12 terrorist incidents, equivalent to 37.5% of the
total number of terrorist operations carried out by extremist organizations in
Africa during the month, leaving 93 dead and 47 injured.
Mali was in the lead with eight terrorist operations,
resulting in 51 dead and 23 wounded, while Niger was also subjected to two
terrorist incidents that killed 23 people and injured 24 others.
As for Burkina Faso, it was subjected to two terrorist
attacks that killed 20 people without causing any injuries.
East and Horn of Africa
According to the study, the East and Horn of Africa region
ranked second in terms of the number of operations, and fourth in terms of the
number of deaths. The troubled region witnessed nine terrorist attacks,
equivalent to 28.1% of the total number of terrorist operations, which led to
the death and injury of 26 people.
Somalia alone was subjected to six terrorist operations
launched by the Al-Shabaab movement, which resulted in 20 deaths and 14
injuries, while Kenya, which witnessed successive attacks, was subjected to
three operations that resulted in six deaths and 12 injuries.
As for the West Africa region, which is known for the
increasing activity of ISIS and Boko Haram as a result of the competition
between them, came in third place, as it was subjected to seven terrorist
operations, equivalent to 21.9% of the total number of terrorist operations,
all of which were centered in Nigeria, resulting in 28 people killed, one
person injured, and 55 others kidnapped.
The Al-Azhar Observatory confirmed that the security chaos
taking place in Niger affected neighboring countries, including Nigeria, due to
geographical proximity, which facilitated the movement of terrorist
organizations and their ability to surprise security forces and launch bloody
attacks, which requires close cooperation from the affected countries to
confront the threat posed by terrorists.
As for the Central African region, it came in fourth place
in terms of the number of terrorist operations, and in second place in terms of
the number of resulting deaths. The region was subjected to four terrorist
attacks, equivalent to 12.5% of the total number of terrorist operations, three
of which occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is rich in
natural resources, which play a pivotal role in attracting terrorism.
The three operations carried out by the ISIS-affiliated
Allied Democratic Forces resulted in 59 casualties, while Cameroon was
subjected to a single operation that led to 12 deaths.
Geopolitical transformations
The Al-Azhar Observatory study confirmed that the African
Sahel region is currently witnessing rapid geopolitical transformations that
may bring with it the possibility of escalating tensions and struggles over
influence as a result of the tense political conditions,
security chaos, and economic failure occurring in some countries in the region.
It also warned of the consequences of the deteriorating
security situation in the Sahel countries, which may affect other countries
that were previously immune to terrorist threats.
In terms of efforts to combat terrorist organizations in
Africa, the death toll of terrorist elements reached 377 people and 18
detainees, in addition to the surrender of 11 others.
In the East African region, the Somali government killed 265
Al-Shabaab terrorists and arrested 18 others, while three terrorists
voluntarily surrendered to army forces.
For its part, the Kenyan army was able to neutralize 60
members of the terrorist movement, while the Mozambican defense announced the
killing of three rebels, including their leader.
In the Sahel region, the efforts of the security forces in
Mali resulted in the elimination of 39 terrorist elements.
In the west of the continent, the efforts of the Nigerian
army against the Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa movements led to the
neutralization of 10 terrorist elements and the surrender of eight others.
