New Europol report: Terrorists exploiting global tensions

Terrorists continue to adapt their methods and narratives to exploit global events, digital technology, and societal vulnerabilities, according to the EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report (EU TE-SAT) 2024, published on December 12 by Europol.

The report provides a detailed overview of the evolving terrorism landscape in the European Union in 2023.

The October 7 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent military response in Gaza have triggered global reactions, the report says.

Hamas widely shared propaganda from the initial attack to mobilise jihadist groups globally.

Terrorist groups used the high number of civilian casualties to develop propaganda, radicalise individuals and intensify calls for violence. Hamas utilised the crisis to secure funding via money transfers, cryptocurrencies, and Hawala networks. Some of these transfers potentially came from the EU, the report says.

The conflict and the propaganda stemming from it has unified extremist narratives across jihadist, right-wing, left-wing, and anarchist groups, sparking online incitement to violence, particularly targeting Jewish and Israeli interests worldwide. This has amplified antisemitic and anti-Muslim tensions within the EU. Regionally, Hezbollah’s confrontations with Israel raise EU security concerns.

The involvement of young people in terrorism-related activities is growing.

Terrorist groups increasingly exploit online platforms and gaming environments to reach younger audiences.

Disseminating content like videos, music and memes, these groups radicalise individuals and mobilise them for propaganda production, recruitment, and even attacks. Furthermore, the radicalisation has sped up; the time between initial exposure to extremist content and violent action has significantly decreased.

Increased antisemitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric has heightened societal tensions, resulting in strong polarisation of certain groups. Meanwhile, both jihadist and right-wing extremists have used the Israel-Hamas conflict to promote their narratives and inspire action.

The dual nature of technology emerges when it is exploited by terrorist groups, which are capitalising on advancements in AI and encrypted communication technologies to further their operations.

AI-generated deepfakes are being used for propaganda and disinformation, while encrypted messaging apps provide secure communication channels for planning and recruitment.

Innovation has been used for weaponry, with 3D-printed firearms becoming more popular, particularly among right-wing extremists. 

There were 120 terrorist incidents across seven EU Member States, including 98 completed attacks, nine failed attempts, and 13 foiled plots, marking a significant rise from 2022.

Six fatalities and 12 injuries resulted from jihadist attacks, the deadliest form of terrorism in the EU.

A total of 426 arrests for terrorism-related offences were made across 22 Member States, with jihadist offences accounting for 78 per cent of the total.

Jihadist terrorism remains the most significant threat to EU security. In 2023, five of the 14 attempted jihadist attacks were completed. All these were carried out by lone actors, highlighting the challenges of preventing attacks by isolated individuals.

Furthermore, these so-called lone actors are well connected via online communities. Most attacks used weapons such as knives and firearms, with perpetrators often radicalised online.

Jihadist propaganda continued to exploit divisions in society and geopolitical events, such as the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, to recruit and radicalise individuals.

Terrorist groups are also leveraging encrypted communications and social media to evade detection while continuing to disseminate propaganda targeted at vulnerable individuals.

Young people are increasingly involved in producing and disseminating propaganda on online networks.

A total of 334 individuals were arrested for jihadist-related offences, with young people making up a growing proportion of the total arrests. Detention facilities remain hotspots for radicalisation, with some inmates attempting to recruit others. Released prisoners continue to pose a potential security risk.

While only two right-wing terrorist attacks took place in 2023, and both were foiled, the ideological and operational threat posed remains significant.

Right-wing extremists, particularly younger individuals, are increasingly active in online communities, producing propaganda, inciting violence, and experimenting with technologies such as 3D printing to create weapons.

Online platforms are used for spreading propaganda, recruiting others, and sharing weapon-making instructions, with significant interest in 3D-printed firearms.

Arrests included young individuals who were radicalised online and involved in incitement and planning attacks. Narratives like eco-fascism and anti-system rhetoric gained prominence, combining environmental concerns with extremist ideology. 

Left-wing and anarchist terrorism accounted for 32 attacks in 2023, mostly targeting property and critical infrastructure. Separatist groups were responsible for the majority of completed attacks.

These groups often align their activities with socio-political grievances, such as anti-capitalist and environmental movements.

Left-wing actors targeted government buildings, financial institutions, and businesses. Support for imprisoned anarchists remained a catalyst for violent acts, as did broader anti-state sentiments. Ethno-nationalist groups remained active, often focusing on regional independence.

(Photo, of an arms cache of the Hamas terrorist group found in Gaza, via the Facebook page of the Embassy of the State of Israel)