Global Terrorism Index 2025

Results

​Ten Countries Most Impacted by Terrorism: (3) Syria
Terrorism in Syria remains a significant threat, with attacks rising by 16 per cent to 430 in 2024. Deaths mirrored this trend, increasing four per cent to 744 deaths, compared to 715 in 2023. Increased activity by IS drove the increase, with the group responsible for 48 per cent more attacks and 33 per cent more deaths when compared to the previous year. The fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 has sparked fears that IS could reclaim its lost territory and reestablish its former power, though the long-term impact remains uncertain. Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) attacks are excluded from the GTI as they occurred within the context of the Syrian Civil War. Since 2017, HTS has also acted as a de facto authority in Idlib Governorate, where most of their attacks were concentrated. 
 
The eastern border governorates were the areas most affected by terrorism in 2024, with 76 per cent of attacks occurring in Deir ez-Zor and Homs, both of which share a border with Iraq. Deaths in this area rose by 11 per cent compared to the previous year, with Homs remaining the governorate with the most deaths with 252, followed by Deir ez-Zor with 248 and Al- Raqqah with 154. 
 
IS remained the deadliest group in Syria in 2024, maintaining this position for over a decade. The group was responsible for 95 per cent of all deaths and 86 per cent of all incidents in the country. IS also recorded its highest number of attacks and deaths in Syria this year, with 369 attacks causing 708 deaths. A notable shift in IS strategy has been observed, with a focus on targeting military personnel, who accounted for 63 per cent of IS-attributed deaths in 2024. 
 
IS was likely behind Syria’s deadliest attack of the year, which killed 54 soldiers in the Homs Governorate. The attack occurred two days after the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024. In the 23 days following Assad’s fall, IS launched 23 attacks that killed 91 people, making December the most lethal month for IS activity in 2024. 
 
While the future of Syria remains uncertain, the fall of Assad has coincided with a surge in IS activity, with experts warning that the regime collapse could trigger a resurgence of IS in Syria. Although it is still too early to determine the full impact, the United States anticipated this risk and launched strikes on IS strongholds immediately after Assad fled in December. Alternatively, IS may continue to prioritise its operations in sub-Saharan Africa, capitalising on the momentum it has built there rather than refocusing on Syria. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the group’s intentions, the rise in attacks and deaths highlights that IS remains a significant threat in Syria. 
 
Global Terrorism Index 2025. Institute for Economics & Peace. Sydney, Australia.