The global spread of radical Islamic groups

For context. I have received some PREVENT training to help spot signs in young people who might be at risk of radicalisation. Some young people are more at risk than others.

Thinking of the 3 young girls several years ago who went to support ISIS. Two died and 1 is currently attempting to return to the UK. They were radicalised.

The PREVENT programme is trying to combat the growth in extremism here in the UK.

Details
The aim of Prevent is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
The objectives of Prevent are to:
tackle the ideological causes of terrorism
intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation
enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate
This is statutory guidance for England and Wales, issued on 7 September 2023 under Section 29 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. It came into force on 31 December 2023, replacing the 2015 guidance which came into force in July 2015.

I think we all need to be watchful of young people and who they interact with on social media. They are at risk of radicalisation

Some UK definitions of terrorism:

What is meant by ‘terrorism’ in the proscription context?
“Terrorism” as defined in the act, means the use or threat of action which: involves serious violence against a person; involves serious damage to property; endangers a person’s life (other than that of the person committing the act); creates a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or section of the public or is designed seriously to interfere with or seriously to disrupt an electronic system.
The use or threat of such action must be designed to influence the government or an international governmental organisation or to intimidate the public or a section of the public, and must be undertaken for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause.
What determines whether proscription is proportionate?
If the statutory test is met, the Home Secretary will consider whether to exercise their discretion to proscribe the organisation. In considering whether to exercise this discretion, the Home Secretary will take into account other factors, including:

• the nature and scale of an organisation’s activities
• the specific threat that it poses to the UK
• the specific threat that it poses to British nationals overseas
• the extent of the organisation’s presence in the UK
• the need to support other members of the international community in the global fight against terrorism.

How can we help prevent the growth in extremism?

Support the people in those countries without supporting terrorism?

Countries with radical extremists groups
Yeman – The Houthis
Lebanon – Hezbollah
Al-Qaeda: Has a global presence, with core activities and affiliates operating in the Middle East, Africa (particularly North Africa and the Sahel), and parts of Asia.
Islamic State (IS) / ISIL: This is the world's deadliest terrorist group, with its core and numerous affiliates active in Iraq, Syria, and across many countries in Africa, Asia, and beyond.
Hamas: Primarily focused on the Palestinian territories, though it has also had its military wing proscribed by the UK government.
Boko Haram: Active in Nigeria and neighboring countries in West Africa, where it has launched widespread attacks.
Afghan Taliban: A major force in Afghanistan.
Lords Resistance Army (LRA): Operates in Central Africa.
Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) & Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS): These are examples of groups exploiting instability in the Sahel region of West Africa.

Some examples of the growth in terrorism

"The persistent and growing strength of violent extremist organizations in the Sahel threatens to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and spread instability across Africa, posing significant security and financial risks to the United States and Europe. The continuing collapse of international counterterrorism support, as well as weakening leadership in regional efforts, has created a vacuum in which violent extremism can expand. Organizations including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), Islamic State in the West African Province (ISWAP), and others have already taken advantage of that vacuum, using countries in the region as platforms to launch indiscriminate attacks on government forces and civilians alike. Other non-state actors, such as the Wagner Group, have also capitalized on the absence of foreign involvement to expand their influence. The possible convergence of security threats, including increased cooperation among terrorist organizations, and between terrorist and criminal organizations, could intensify the danger those groups pose in the region and beyond. "