This blog is an attempt to track terrorist attacks worldwide on a weekly basis. While recognising the challenges in defining ‘terrorism’, the incidents listed here will be limited to attacks committed – or claimed – by known terrorist groups (Al Qaeda, Islamic State, FARC, etc.) or those where there is a clear underlying ideological, religious or political motive. Only actual attacks carried out, and not those thwarted through arrests, will be listed (for unsuccessful plots check out Borealis’ X feed @borealissaves). This list makes no claim to be exhaustive as it is limited by time and resources available to scan open source intelligence (OSINT).
Events where information is still being gathered may be included with a caveat that they may not turn out in the end to be terrorist in nature. Crimes motivated solely by hate will NOT appear here. Borealis realises that this too is problematic but believes that a distinction between terrorism and hate crimes is worth maintaining.
After the listing of individual incidents analysis of the visible trendlines will be briefly discussed. Multiple, independent sources (OSINT) will be listed wherever possible.
| Date | Location | Method | Responsibility | Casualties | Type |
| Feb 5 | Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan | guns, grenades | TTP | 10 d 6 w | Islamist |
| Deir Ezzor, Syria | suicide drone | Islamic Resistance of Iraq | 6 d | Islamist | |
| Somalia | guns | Al Shabaab? | 6 d 6 w | Islamist | |
| Feb 6 | Istanbul, Turkey | guns | DHKP-C? | 5 w | Ethno-nationalist |
| Mogadishu, Somalia | mortars | Al Shabaab? | 10 d 15 w | Islamist | |
| Balochistan, Pakistan | grenade. bomb | Islamist? | |||
| Red Sea | missiles | Houthis | Islamist | ||
| northern Israel | rockets | Hizballah | 2 w | Islamist | |
| Balochistan, Pakistan | bombs | TTP? BLA? ISIS? | 26 d 50 w | Islamist? | |
| Feb 7 | Srinagar, India | guns | 2 d | Islamist? | |
| Feb 8 | Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan | bombs, guns | TTP? BLA? ISIS? | 6 d 7 w | Islamist |
| Deira Ismail Khan, Pakistan | grenades, guns | 4 d 3 w | Islamist | ||
| Northern Israel | missiles | Hizballah | 3 w | Islamist | |
| Pakistan | 3 w | Islamist | |||
| Cabo Delgado, Mozambique | guns, beheading | ISIS | 25 d | Islamist | |
| Feb 10 | Mudug region, Somalia | mortars | Al Shabaab | 3 d 1 w | Islamist |
| Feb 11 | Mogadishu | guns | Al Shabaab | 4 d | Islamist |
Analysis
What do Islamist terrorists have against elections? It’s simple: elections are a chance for citizens to choose their form of government and jihadis maintain they have all the answers (i.e. Islamic government based on their, and only their, interpretation of Islam). This is why they attack polling stations and election officials so often: they cannot stand when they do not get their way. This week’s attacks in Pakistan are a good example of this world view. And, the sad part, is that it shows no signs of going away. Look for more attacks in future blogs where Islamist terrorists do their utmost to undermine everyone else’s right to choose.
Sources
At least 10 cops martyred, six injured in DI Khan attack (tribune.com.pk); 10 cops martyred, six injured in terrorist attack on police station in DI Khan (thenews.com.pk); Armed group kills 10 in Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region | News | Al Jazeera
Ethiopians killed in an overnight attack within Somalia (garoweonline.com)
Turkey: Police shoot 2 dead in courthouse attack – DW – 02/06/2024
Mortar attack hits Mogadishu’s Bakara Market, casualties unknown (hiiraan.com); Mogadishu blast kills at least 10 people – The East African; Ten dead, 20 others injured in multiple blasts in market in Somali capital | News | Al Jazeera
Twin blasts rock Balochistan’s Kech and Panjgur ahead of polls (tribune.com.pk)
Houthi rebels claim to strike US and UK ships in Red Sea – Khaama Press
Two soldiers lightly injured as several rounds of rocket fire hit north | The Times of Israel
Pakistan election: Two deadly blasts in Balochistan day before vote (bbc.com); Dozens Killed In Blasts Near Candidates’ Offices As Pakistan Closes Borders Ahead Of Elections (rferl.org); Two separate blasts targeting election offices kill 26, injure 50 in Balochistan (thenews.com.pk)
Punjab man shot dead by terrorists in Srinagar; another man from the state injured : The Tribune India; Gunmen Kill Two Indians in Kashmir: Police (thedefensepost.com)
6 security personnel martyred in KP, Balochistan attacks – Pakistan – DAWN.COM
Officer seriously wounded, 2 troops lightly hurt in Hezbollah missile attack | The Times of Israel
Terror attack in DI Khan martyrs 4 policemen (thenews.com.pk)
Pakistan’s polling stations and workers attacked, including three female agents – Khaama Press
Mozambique: Terrorists kill 25 Mozambican soldiers in Cabo Delgado – AIM | Club of Mozambique
Al-Shabaab kills UAE and Bahrain military trainers in base shooting in Somalia (garoweonline.com); Somalia: 3 Emirati troops, Bahraini officer killed in attack – DW – 02/11/2024; Somalia: UAE, Somalia Launch Joint Probe Into Military Base Shooting – allAfrica.com; Al-Shabab claims attack on UAE military in Somalia | Al-Shabab News | Al Jazeera; Al-Shabab claims attack that killed three UAE troops, a Bahraini officer in Somalia (alarabiya.net)
Al-Shabaab mortar attack kills civilians in Somalia’s Mudug region (hiiraan.com)
