The most dangerous terrorist groups currently active worldwide

Oluwatosin Jegede

11 March 2023

Terrorism continues to be a significant threat to global security, with various terrorist groups operating across different regions of the world. These groups espouse violent ideologies and use violence as a means to achieve their political or religious objectives. Today, some of the most dangerous terrorist groups are those that operate in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

Among them are the Islamic State (IS) and its affiliate groups, the Taliban, Al Shabaab, Al-Jamaat Nusrat, and Boko Haram. These groups have been responsible for numerous attacks that have claimed the lives of innocent civilians and caused widespread destruction.

Table of Contents

The 4 most dangerous terrorist groups currently active

Here follows the most dangerous terrorist groups currently active. We will discuss each of these groups in detail and highlight their activities and the threat they pose to global security:

Islamic State (IS), alongside its affiliate groups

The Islamic State (IS), also known as ISIS, is a Sunni Islamist extremist group that emerged in Iraq and Syria in 2014. The group gained notoriety for its brutal tactics, including public executions, beheadings, and enslavement of women and children. At its height, the group controlled large swaths of territory in both Iraq and Syria and had thousands of fighters from around the world.

Although the group has suffered significant military defeats, including the loss of its territorial stronghold in Iraq and Syria, it continues to pose a significant threat to global security. The group has established affiliates and cells in various parts of the world, including Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. These affiliates operate under different names, such as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin, and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) in West Africa.

These affiliates have been responsible for numerous attacks, including suicide bombings, kidnappings, and assassinations, targeting both civilians and military personnel. The group’s ideology continues to attract new recruits, and its affiliates continue to pose a significant threat to global security. Therefore, the international community must continue to work together to counter the group’s activities and prevent its spread to other regions.

Al Shabaab

Al Shabaab is a militant Islamist group that operates primarily in Somalia but has also carried out attacks in neighboring countries such as Kenya and Uganda. The group emerged in 2006 as the militant wing of the Islamic Courts Union, which ruled parts of Somalia at the time. Al Shabaab seeks to establish an Islamic state in Somalia based on its interpretation of Sharia law.

Al Shabaab has been responsible for numerous attacks in Somalia, including suicide bombings, assassinations, and attacks on military and government targets. The group has also targeted civilians, including aid workers, journalists, and foreigners. The group has been known to use child soldiers and has been accused of human rights violations, including executions and forced recruitment.

Al Shabaab has been weakened by military operations by the Somali government, African Union forces, and US-led airstrikes. However, the group continues to carry out attacks and has recently increased its activity in Somalia.

Al Shabaab also continues to pose a significant threat to neighboring countries, particularly Kenya, where the group has carried out several high-profile attacks, including the 2013 Westgate mall attack in Nairobi, which killed 67 people. The international community must continue to support efforts to counter Al Shabaab and address the underlying political and economic issues in Somalia that contribute to the group’s continued existence.

Al-Jamaat Nusrat

Al-Jamaat Nusrat is a militant Islamist group that operates primarily in Syria but also has links to other jihadist groups in the region, including Al Qaeda. The group emerged in 2015 and was initially known as the Nusra Front, but it rebranded itself as Al-Jamaat Nusrat in 2017.

The group seeks to establish an Islamic state in Syria and opposes the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad. Al-Jamaat Nusrat has been involved in the Syrian civil war and has been accused of carrying out numerous attacks targeting both military and civilian targets, including bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings.

Although the group has suffered significant military setbacks, including the loss of its stronghold in Idlib province, it continues to pose a threat to the security of the region. The group stands accused of using chemical weapons, such as chlorine gas, in their attacks, resulting in civilian casualties.

Al-Jamaat Nusrat has also been accused of having links to other terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda and the Islamic State. The international community has designated Al-Jamaat Nusrat as a terrorist organization, and efforts continue to counter the group’s activities and prevent its spread to other parts of the region.

Boko Haram

Boko Haram is a militant Islamist group that operates primarily in Nigeria but also in neighboring countries, including Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. The group emerged in 2002, but its insurgency gained prominence in 2009 when it launched attacks on government targets, including police stations and prisons.

Boko Haram opposes Western education and seeks to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria based on its interpretation of Sharia law. The group has been responsible for numerous attacks targeting civilians, including bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings. In addition, Boko Haram abducted schoolgirls, most notably in 2014 when they kidnapped over 270 girls from a school in Chibok.

The group has suffered significant military defeats, including the loss of its territory and the killing of its leaders, but it continues to pose a significant threat to the security of the region. Accusations have linked Boko Haram to other terrorist groups, including the Islamic State.

The international community has designated Boko Haram as a terrorist organization, and efforts continue to counter the group’s activities and address the underlying socio-economic issues in Nigeria that contribute to its existence.

What do these terrorist groups have in common

Terrorism remains a significant threat to global security, with various terrorist groups operating across different regions of the world. The Islamic State (IS), the Taliban, Al Shabaab, Al-Jamaat Nusrat, and Boko Haram are among the most dangerous terrorist groups today. These groups espouse violent ideologies and use violence as a means to achieve their political or religious objectives. Their activities have resulted in the loss of many innocent lives and widespread destruction.

While some of these groups have suffered significant military defeats, they continue to pose a threat to global security, with their affiliates operating in various parts of the world. The international community must work together to counter these groups’ activities, prevent their spread to other regions, and address the underlying political, economic, and social issues that contribute to their existence.

Efforts to counter terrorism must be comprehensive, addressing both the immediate security threats and the long-term causes of terrorism. This requires cooperation between states, the international community, and civil society to promote peace, tolerance, and respect for human rights. By working together, we can reduce the threat posed by terrorist groups and create a more peaceful and secure world for all.