pt.euronews.com
EU Terrorist Attacks Decreased by Half in 2024, but Jihadist Attacks Rose
In 2024, 58 terrorist attacks were recorded in 14 EU member states, a 50% decrease from 2023, but jihadist attacks increased significantly, causing 5 deaths and 18 injuries, according to Europol; 449 people were arrested for terrorism-related offenses.
- What are the implications of the increase in youth involvement in terrorism?
- The number of minors and young people involved in terrorist activities increased, with nearly a third of those arrested being aged 12-20, mostly involved in jihadist terrorism and often self-radicalized online. This highlights the vulnerability of youth to online radicalization.
- Which countries experienced the most attacks, and what were the main targets?
- Italy and France had the highest number of attacks, with 20 and 14 respectively. Most attacks (45) targeted urban areas, with civilians as the primary target and the industrial sector as the secondary target.
- What were the overall trends in terrorist attacks in the EU in 2024 compared to previous years?
- In 2024, the EU saw a 50% decrease in overall terrorist attacks, from 120 in 2023 to 58. However, jihadist attacks increased significantly, representing almost half of all attacks and causing the most casualties (5 deaths, 18 injuries).
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents the information in a relatively neutral manner, focusing on the statistics and Europol's report. There's no overt attempt to frame the issue in a particular way, though the choice to lead with the decrease in overall attacks compared to the previous year might be considered a framing choice. This could downplay the seriousness of the increase in Jihadist attacks and the rise in youth involvement.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and factual, relying on statistics and direct quotes from the Europol report. There is no use of loaded language or emotionally charged terms.
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from including information about the types of terrorist attacks (bombings, shootings, etc.) and the specific targets within the industrial sector. Information on the methods used to counter terrorism and the effectiveness of those methods would also improve the analysis. The geographic distribution of attacks beyond the countries mentioned could be more detailed.
Gender Bias
The report acknowledges the gender breakdown of suspects, noting the overwhelming majority are male. However, further analysis of potential gender bias in reporting on the attacks themselves would be needed. For example, were the descriptions of female suspects different than those of male suspects?
Sustainable Development Goals
The report directly addresses SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by presenting data on terrorist attacks, arrests related to terrorism, and the increasing involvement of young people in extremist activities. The increase in terrorist attacks and the growing number of young people involved negatively impact efforts to build peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. The rise in online extremist propaganda further exacerbates the challenge.