Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition. Common definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for a religious, political or ideological goal, and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants (civilians).
In 2023, terrorist attacks were recorded globally. Since 2014, the number of terrorist attacks worldwide generally decreased.Â
Terrorist attacks
In recent years, the number of terrorist attacks reached a low in 2012 with attacks globally. In 2014, the number of attacks had more than doubled to * attacks, which was the year when the Islamic State reached the height of its power in Syria and Iraq. The majority of terrorism acts have been located in Middle Eastern countries such as Syria and Yemen as well as in some African states such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia.Â
Terrorism in the United States
Soon after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, the fear of another terrorist attack was prominent among American citizens. The Al-Qaeda terrorist attack killed some people on this occasion, the deadliest terrorist attack since 1970.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (April 15, 2024). Number of terrorist attacks worldwide between 2007 and 2023 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 14, 2026, from /statistics/202864/number-of-terrorist-attacks-worldwide/
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "Number of terrorist attacks worldwide between 2007 and 2023." Chart. April 15, 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 14, 2026. /statistics/202864/number-of-terrorist-attacks-worldwide/
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2024). Number of terrorist attacks worldwide between 2007 and 2023. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 14, 2026. /statistics/202864/number-of-terrorist-attacks-worldwide/
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "Number of Terrorist Attacks Worldwide between 2007 and 2023." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 15 Apr 2024, /statistics/202864/number-of-terrorist-attacks-worldwide/
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Number of terrorist attacks worldwide between 2007 and 2023 ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/202864/number-of-terrorist-attacks-worldwide/ (last visited July 14, 2026)
Number of terrorist attacks worldwide between 2007 and 2023 [Graph], U.S. Department of Homeland Security, April 15, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/202864/number-of-terrorist-attacks-worldwide/