The Sahel region in Africa accounted for 51 percent of global terrorism-related deaths in 2024, up from 48 percent in 2023, according to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), published by the Sydney-headquartered Institute for Economics and Peace.
According to the report, the Sahel also accounted for 19 percent of all worldwide terrorist attacks in 2024.
Burkina Faso remains the most affected country in the region.
Over 700 deaths recorded across the country were linked to groups like Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen.
In Niger, more than 400 lives were lost in terrorist attacks last year.
Insurgents reportedly targeted villages, military outposts, and public gatherings.
In Nigeria, an attack in Mafa village in Yobe state reportedly killed between 100 and 150 people and wounded several others last year.
Another attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) against Boko Haram members in the northeast areas of Lake Chad in Borno state took place on April 24th last year.
Seventy Boko Haram and ten ISWAP members were reportedly killed in the clashes.
In Mali, a brazen attack on a Gendarmerie school in the southern part of the capital, Bamako, left 60 soldiers dead last year.
Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen claimed responsibility for the attack.
According to the United Nations, terrorist attacks have continued unabated in 2025, and the death toll continues to rise.
Sahel region accounts for 51 pct of global terrorism-related deaths in 2024: report
A group of Japanese citizens held a study session in Shibuya, Tokyo on Saturday to reflect on Japan's history of aggression during World War II and voice opposition to the government's push for constitutional revision and military buildup.
During the session, the organizers screened videos about Japan's invasion of China, stressing that only a genuine understanding of history can the country be prevented from starting another aggressive war.
"We must earnestly study history and understand what the Japanese military did to China and other Asian countries, and what Japan has done in the past. Without understanding this part of history, it is very difficult to truly oppose war," said an organizer of the session.
At the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) convention in Tokyo last Sunday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi declared that "the time has come" to reform the Constitution, saying that "we would like to hold next year's convention with a proposal for a constitutional amendment in sight."
The ruling party also formally announced its new policy vision, recognizing its goal of revising the Constitution as "critically needed" in shaping Japan's future security framework.
Japan's Constitution, which took effect in 1947, is often referred to as the pacifist Constitution because its Article 9 renounces war as a sovereign right and prohibits Japan from possessing "war potential" such as military forces.
The ruling party's move has sparked widespread concern and criticism in Japan as it could mark a significant turning point in Japan's postwar trajectory.
"The constitution clearly states that Japan forever renounces war. To change that would be equivalent to Japan reemerging on the world stage as an imperialist, war-waging nation. I believe all Japanese people must stand up to stop this," said a participant.
"We must never allow Takaichi's tendency to wage war. We must resolutely prevent Japan from going to war again," said another participant.
"The so-called enhancing 'deterrence' does not prevent war from happening. If all countries keep enhancing their military preparations in the name of deterrence, there will be no end to it. I think this actually serves the vested interests of imperialist capitalists and the arms industry, so we must never allow endless increases in defense budgets and arms races. Tax money should be used to improve the lives of workers and ordinary people," said another participant.
Japanese citizens hold study session to reflect on WWII aggression, oppose constitutional revision
