Jihadist terrorism remains the most significant threat to EU security, says the EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report (EU TE-SAT) 2024, published Thursday by Europol. 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.
Three hundred thirty-four 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.
