The global spread of radical Islamic groups

[RealDiscussionNotHate]

The Roman Empire
The British Empire
The Ottoman Empire
Just to name a few in the past.

The world continues to change and the growing rise of radical Islamic groups throughout the world might be the next empire. What do you think. There is plenty of evidence to show that radical Islamic groups are spreading. There are so many conflicts going on (much that never reaches main news).

The rise of terrorism in Africa. The rise in terrorist incidents and prevented terrorist incidents in Europe. Why is terrorism in the world becoming such a huge threat?

This is meant to be a actual question. Most people of all colours/faiths/cultures are peaceful and want nothing to do with terrorism. However, there is a power struggle in many countries, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon. I wish everyone could live alongside each other, so how do we try to get along more?

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. "

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.

How can we help prevent the growth in extremism?

Support the people in those countries without supporting terrorism?

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.

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

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.

I believe as others do that it is on all of us to work together to provide factual information and support to people who may be at risk of becoming radicalised and then might go onto actually carrying out an act of terrorism.

You have left out India. Which has been struggling with Islamist attacks for years.

I'm sorry - the growth of radical organisations worldwide is huge. India is also struggling.

SOME DETAILS ABOUT PROSCRIBE ORGANISATIONS AND WHAT IS MEANS TO SUPPORT THEM

Proscription offences
Proscription makes it a criminal offence to:

• belong, or profess to belong, to a proscribed organisation in the UK or overseas (section 11 of the act)
• invite support for a proscribed organisation (the support invited need not be material support, such as the provision of money or other property, and can also include moral support or approval) (section 12(1))
• express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, reckless as to whether a person to whom the expression is directed will be encouraged to support a proscribed organisation (section 12(1A))
• arrange, manage or assist in arranging or managing a meeting in the knowledge that the meeting is to support or further the activities of a proscribed organisation, or is to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organisation (section 12(2)); or to address a meeting if the purpose of the address is to encourage support for, or further the activities of, a proscribed organisation (section 12(3))
• wear clothing or carry or display articles in public in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that the individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation (section 13)
• publish an image of an item of clothing or other article, such as a flag or logo, in the same circumstances (section 13(1A))

What are the penalties for a proscription offence? The penalties for proscription offences under sections 11 and 12 are a maximum of 14 years in prison and/or a fine. The maximum penalty for a section 13 offence is 6 months in prison and/or a fine not exceeding £5,000. Do the proscription offences apply to all designated and proscribed organisations? No, the proscription offences set out in sections 11 to 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (as amended by the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019) apply in relation to proscribed organisations i.e. those specified in Schedule 2 to the Terrorism Act 2000. These offences do not apply in relation to groups subject to other designation or sanction regimes such as an asset freeze in the UK as a result of a UN Al Qa’ida, EU CP 931 or UK domestic, asset freeze unless that entity is also proscribed in the UK. How does proscription help disrupt terrorism? In addition to the proscription offences, proscription can support other disruptive activity including the use of immigration powers such as exclusion, prosecution for other offences, encouraging removal of on-line material, messaging and EU asset freezes. The resources of a proscribed organisation are terrorist property and are, therefore, liable to be seized.

India:

Terrorism in India is due to two old problems, which are not as old as India itself. One is the latent separatism in some states that were once autonomous and independent kingdoms. The other cause is the age-old friction between Muslim and Hindu factions.

They are trying to tackle the problem: What are the measures taken by India to face challenges of terrorism?

Amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 in 2008 and 2012 to strengthen the punitive measures to combat terrorism. The creation of the National Investigation Agency under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 to investigate and prosecute offences under the Acts specified in its Schedule.

Lost of countries are struggling with the rise in terrorism and taking various measures to tackle the growing problem.

I've leave it here now and not keep posting. It is something that some people are aware of, others not so much, some totally uninterested in, some choose to ignore and leave to counter terrorism and police, it is growing though and perhaps we can help by being watchful around how people present themselves.

Thoughts are with victims of terrorism whatever part of the world they may live in.

Well, a good start would be to realise that radical Islamic groups don’t want to “get on” with everyone else. They want to murder us and spread radical Islam. Best plan is not to harbour them in the UK.

Hisbollah may be defined by western countries as a “terrorist” group but the majority of Lebanese feel differently. They emerged in the ‘80s after the Israelis invaded and occupied huge swathes of territory in Lebanon up to and including Beirut. They still occupy the south of Lebanon. Hisbollah has never in it’s history attacked any country other than Israel. They would view themselves as defending their homeland and trying to push back the Israelis from southern Lebanon. I think that view is fair, and that any country occupied by another (like Ukraine) has a right and obligation to defend itself.

The thing is they are already here and when they are British then they have the right to live here and be dealt with here. It's a problem that needs dealing with. Hence the programme to spread awareness and for everyone to support suspicious behaviour. There are many signs and if everyone is more vigilant that perhaps more future attacks might be prevented?

How many people in Lebanon agree with Hezbollah? The Shiites but a bit unfortunate if you are Sunni. As you say many in the country may not view it as a terrorist organisation but if it attacks other countries then perhaps the worldwide definition applies? I don't make the definitions. If Israel wasn't attacked by Hezbollah then Israel wouldn't attack back or vice versus if you have the other viewpoint - so if both Israel and the organisation of Hezbollah stopped attacking each other - Hezbollah isn't the actual government of the Lebanon.

"Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and many other countries, and has deep-rooted military alliances with repressive, anti-Israel regimes in Iran and Syria. Cross-border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel escalated in recent years, particularly amid Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip that broke out last year. In a major intensification of its battle with Hezbollah, in late 2024 Israel killed long time leader Hassan Nasrallah, and launched a ground offensive against the group in southern Lebanon". It's is Iranian back. Iran backs many 'terrorist organisations'. It is a Shiite Muslim party so not so great for Suni Muslims (they matter too). You probably know that "Hezbollah publicly confirmed its involvement in the Syrian Civil War in 2013, and it sent some seven thousand militants to assist Iranian and Russian forces in supporting the Syrian government against largely Sunni rebel groups". So again not great if you are Sunni Muslim - many would say they shouldn't be killed either but it doesn't really gather much publicity though.

I wouldn't pop them on my Christmas list

There is no way of stopping it. Google the Barcelona Agreement 1995. This was planned many years ago and it's only going to get worse.

A common area of peace and stability. I'm not sure how that contributes to the rise of worldwide Islamic terrorist organisation. Could you share what link you think that has to the rise in Worldwide radical Islamist groups?

OP is quite correct.

The Islamist agenda, as embodied by the theocratic regime in Iran, wants a world caliphate. This is not a secret they are quite open about this aim.

This cannot happen until every Jew in the world has been slaughtered, and after that every other non-Muslim. Convert or die.

It is a psychopathic death cult, even the main Arab countries don't want this, and people need to wake up and smell the Islamist coffee, unless they are happy to live in a world like Iran.

It's growing and not being taken seriously enough. Moderate people of all religions/cultures/ etc do not want this but once the extremists take over areas it's very hard to push back, as is seen in parts of Africa now.

May I ask the 29% who doesn't think the global spread of radical extremism is a problem why it isn't? Or perhaps YABU for a completely different reason.

51% of global-terrorism related deaths occurred in the Sahel in 2024. It's a massive problem in those countries.

https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/violent-extremism-sahel

The rise in terrorism in a large part of Africa affects us all in the UK or Europe since people fleeing from the extremists have to go somewhere.

I know there is little appetite for interference from Western nations so I guess everyone sits back and watches as larger areas are taken over by more radical extremists and more people flee those areas until what? Keep out of it? Help out the moderate people? No idea but is a problem for our children and grandchildren so we could just kick it down the road for them to sort out.

Terrible. Not much discussion on it.

Central African Republic

"Since gaining independence in 1960, CAR has experienced decades of violence and instability, including six coups. Despite repeated efforts to attain peace and disarmament, an insurgency led by Seleka forces—a coalition of armed, primarily Muslim groups—seized the capital of Bangui and ousted the government of François Bozizé in 2013. In response to brutality by Seleka forces, “anti-balaka” coalitions of Christian fighters formed to launch violent attacks on Seleka fighters and Muslim civilians, provoking a renewed conflict that has killed and displaced thousands. Despite seven attempts at peace agreements between the government and non-state armed groups since 2012, Seleka and anti-balaka militias have only increased their activity and influence across the country, terrorizing civilians and clashing over control of mineral resources and migration routes. Due to the scale of the crisis, the UN Security Council established a peacekeeping force in April 2014 that incorporated African Union and French forces that had previously deployed to CAR. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in CAR continues to worsen, with around 70 percent of the population living in extreme poverty and around 3.4 million people in need of assistance. Spillover from neighboring Sudan’s civil war has also exacerbated the conflict, with reports of air raids and the recruitment of CAR fighters by Sudanese forces contributing to ongoing violence and instability."

There are so many nations now struggling with terrorism.