Islamic Jihad: The Primary Terrorist Threat in the EU
Islamic Jihad poses the most significant terrorist threat to the European Union, followed closely by far-left extremism, according to Europol’s latest annual report.
This month’s European Union’s Terrorism Situation and Trends Report predicts 45 terrorist attacks in Europe for 2025. Out of these, 22 will be completed, 20 thwarted, three failures, and six fatalities. It’s notable that this marks a drop from the previous year, which recorded 58 attacks, with 34 being successful and five lives lost.
Jihadist terrorism was behind the majority of incidents last year, with 24 cases, matching the previous year’s count of Islamist-related events. However, there were three more successful attacks last year, bringing the total to nine. These took place in Germany (four incidents), France (two), Austria (one), Ireland (one), and Spain (one). In contrast, several planned attacks were intercepted in France (eight), Austria (six), and Belgium (one).
Far-left and anarchist extremism ranked next, with 12 incidents, 11 of which were executed successfully. Most of these occurred in Italy, while one took place in Greece.
Right-wing terrorism, on the other hand, accounted for five incidents. One attack in France resulted in a death, with the other four being thwarted in France and Ireland. Interestingly, even though the left-wing arrests totaled 13, right-wing terrorism arrests were substantially higher at 43.
The trend in arrests reveals that jihadist terrorism was the main focus, with 347 individuals arrested across 16 EU member states. Spain recorded the highest number of arrests at 100, followed by France with 64.
Of the 398 individuals whose immigration status was known, 259 were EU nationals, while 139 were foreign nationals. The average age of those arrested was 27. Among them, 130 were minors, with the youngest arrested at just 12 years old and the oldest suspect linked to left-wing terrorism being 79.
The report indicates a shift in how jihadist terrorists operate; many are now lone wolves or engaged within communities of similar ideology rather than adhering to a structured hierarchy, which was more common in the past. Nonetheless, some suspects are reported to be connected to extensive networks tied to countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan.
Europol noted that ISIS propaganda encourages its followers to “carry out voluntary attacks,” seeking to be seen as promoting terrorism through the dissemination of its ideology.
“Indirect attribution has strengthened IS’s position as a central figure in jihadism, helping it avoid marginalization amidst other groups involved in the current conflicts, such as in Gaza,” the report states.
The targeting of Jewish interests in the EU is a significant aim for those aligned with Iran’s Islamist regime, which is reportedly expanding its activities, including through proxies and criminal networks within Europe.
“While in previous years these groups mainly utilized the EU for logistical and funding purposes, there’s a growing possibility they may consider attacks against Jews, Israelis, or other targets within the EU,” it was mentioned.
Regarding far-left and anarchist terrorism, Europol reveals that their goals are often driven by a wish to instigate violent revolutions against political, social, and economic systems to establish socialism and eventually a classless society. These individuals are often motivated by Marxist-Leninist ideology and capitalize on various political issues, such as opposition to capitalism and the pursuit of climate action.
In addressing the report, Europol Deputy Director-General Jürgen Ebner commented that “Terrorism and violent extremism in the EU are growing in both scale and complexity, fueled by a mix of ideologies, technological advancements, and geopolitical tensions. In this evolving threat landscape, the EU must continuously enhance its collective response.”
