Africa and Syria spotted in top ranks for terrorists ‘hotspots’ – UN warns

The United Nations (UN) is presently raising concern of terrorist activities heavily concentrated in some African countries and in Syria, placing them among the world’s most dangerous regions for terrorism.

The United Nations in a recent report described Africa as ‘the epicenter of terror activity’, with groups like al-Qaida-linked JNIM in West Africa and al-Shabab in the East steadily expanding territory.

The report also points out that terrorist group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, (JNIM) reportedly dominated the vast semi-arid region in Africa, stretching east to west just south of the Sahara Desert and north of the tropical savannas.

Their position presents them with a perfect opportunity to launch complex attacks involving drones and IEDs, while al-Shabab maintains strongholds in Somalia and deepens ties with Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Syria is emerging as a key strategic base for both ISIS and al-Qaida’s external operations following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. Over 5,000 foreign fighters were reportedly involved in the December offensive that toppled Damascus.

Meanwhile, ISIS continues to threaten Europe and the Americas, with radicalized individuals inspired online. The UN cited an ISIS-linked vehicular attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people — the deadliest in the U.S. since 2016.

West African countries like Burkina Faso and Niger are largely compromised in terms of security as core Sahelian countries. Ghana which borders Burkina Faso has raised alerts on security and increases military presence to avert future security compromise.