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| Who was behind the jihadist attacks on Europe and North America? | Who was behind the jihadist attacks on Europe and North America? |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| More than 400 people have died in jihadist attacks in the West during the past three years. What can we learn, asks Dr Lorenzo Vidino. | |
| Although the vast majority of Islamist attacks are elsewhere in the world, an unprecedented number in Europe and North America - more than 50 in total - have put the authorities under great pressure to prevent further deaths. | Although the vast majority of Islamist attacks are elsewhere in the world, an unprecedented number in Europe and North America - more than 50 in total - have put the authorities under great pressure to prevent further deaths. |
| What do we know of the individuals who carried out the attacks - their life in the West, whether they were known to the authorities and with whom they were working? | What do we know of the individuals who carried out the attacks - their life in the West, whether they were known to the authorities and with whom they were working? |
| The first look at the data behind the attacks - everything from the age of the perpetrators, to immigration status - offers counter-terrorism officials, and the public, an insight that could help them identify the best responses. | The first look at the data behind the attacks - everything from the age of the perpetrators, to immigration status - offers counter-terrorism officials, and the public, an insight that could help them identify the best responses. |
| Where the attacks were | Where the attacks were |
| We identified 52 attacks between December 2014 and early June 2017 that we considered to be acts of jihadist terrorism. | We identified 52 attacks between December 2014 and early June 2017 that we considered to be acts of jihadist terrorism. |
| This period follows the declaration of a "caliphate" by the so-called Islamic State in parts of Syria and Iraq in June 2014. | This period follows the declaration of a "caliphate" by the so-called Islamic State in parts of Syria and Iraq in June 2014. |
| A relatively limited number of countries were affected. | A relatively limited number of countries were affected. |
| Six were in Europe: France - the worst affected country, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden. | Six were in Europe: France - the worst affected country, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden. |
| There were also attacks in the United States and Canada. | There were also attacks in the United States and Canada. |
| Regardless of country, most attacks were in large towns and cities - including London, Paris, Nice, Berlin, Brussels and Orlando. | Regardless of country, most attacks were in large towns and cities - including London, Paris, Nice, Berlin, Brussels and Orlando. |
| A few attacks hit iconic targets, such as the Champs-Elysees and the Louvre museum in Paris, and Westminster in London. | A few attacks hit iconic targets, such as the Champs-Elysees and the Louvre museum in Paris, and Westminster in London. |
| Many others targeted crowded spaces such as busy pedestrian areas, entertainment venues or transport hubs. | Many others targeted crowded spaces such as busy pedestrian areas, entertainment venues or transport hubs. |
| But some terrorist attacks have hit more unusual places, including an office Christmas party and a service at a church. | But some terrorist attacks have hit more unusual places, including an office Christmas party and a service at a church. |
| How the attacks were identified | How the attacks were identified |
| We looked at attacks motivated by jihadist ideology, that involved deliberate acts of violence against other people and were intended to intimidate or convey a message to a larger group. Other organisations use different definitions. | We looked at attacks motivated by jihadist ideology, that involved deliberate acts of violence against other people and were intended to intimidate or convey a message to a larger group. Other organisations use different definitions. |
| The dead and injured | The dead and injured |
| In total, the 52 attacks caused 403 deaths and left more than 1,600 people injured. | In total, the 52 attacks caused 403 deaths and left more than 1,600 people injured. |
| The perpetrators are not included in these figures. | The perpetrators are not included in these figures. |
| The Paris attack of November 2015 was the deadliest, with 130 people killed, including 90 at the Bataclan theatre. | The Paris attack of November 2015 was the deadliest, with 130 people killed, including 90 at the Bataclan theatre. |
| France also saw the Nice lorry attack, which left 86 people dead. | France also saw the Nice lorry attack, which left 86 people dead. |
| There were many other attacks that left many people dead and others injured. | There were many other attacks that left many people dead and others injured. |
| In total, these 10 attacks were responsible for 370 deaths. | In total, these 10 attacks were responsible for 370 deaths. |
| However, most of the attacks did not cause casualties, with the exclusion of the perpetrators. | However, most of the attacks did not cause casualties, with the exclusion of the perpetrators. |
| Who the attackers were | Who the attackers were |
| Although the number of young people being radicalised has caused concern, the average age of the attackers - 27 - is not unusually young. | Although the number of young people being radicalised has caused concern, the average age of the attackers - 27 - is not unusually young. |
| The two youngest were 15 - an unnamed boy who attacked a Jewish teacher with a machete in Marseille, and Safia S, a girl who stabbed a police officer at a Hannover train station. | The two youngest were 15 - an unnamed boy who attacked a Jewish teacher with a machete in Marseille, and Safia S, a girl who stabbed a police officer at a Hannover train station. |
| Of the five who were under the age of 18 at the time, four were in Germany. | Of the five who were under the age of 18 at the time, four were in Germany. |
| The vast majority of the attackers were in their 20s, with about one in four attackers above the age of 30 and three aged 40 or older. | The vast majority of the attackers were in their 20s, with about one in four attackers above the age of 30 and three aged 40 or older. |
| The oldest attacker, Khalid Masood, was 52 when he drove into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and stabbed to death a police officer at the Houses of Parliament. | The oldest attacker, Khalid Masood, was 52 when he drove into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and stabbed to death a police officer at the Houses of Parliament. |
| It is noteworthy that the older perpetrators were twice as likely to have been imprisoned and to have a history of substance abuse. | It is noteworthy that the older perpetrators were twice as likely to have been imprisoned and to have a history of substance abuse. |
| Despite women becoming increasingly active in jihadist networks, only two out of 65 individual perpetrators were female. | Despite women becoming increasingly active in jihadist networks, only two out of 65 individual perpetrators were female. |
| Fewer than one in five perpetrators was a convert to Islam, with a significantly higher percentage in North America than in Europe. | Fewer than one in five perpetrators was a convert to Islam, with a significantly higher percentage in North America than in Europe. |
| However, the converts were significantly more likely to have a criminal background and to have served time in prison. | However, the converts were significantly more likely to have a criminal background and to have served time in prison. |
| Overall, most of the attackers had a prior criminal background. | Overall, most of the attackers had a prior criminal background. |
| Immigration status | Immigration status |
| The relationship between terrorism and migration is a complex one and has been at the centre of extremely polarising debates, particularly during the European migrant crisis. | The relationship between terrorism and migration is a complex one and has been at the centre of extremely polarising debates, particularly during the European migrant crisis. |
| However, the number of attackers who were illegally in a country or who arrived as refugees is small. | However, the number of attackers who were illegally in a country or who arrived as refugees is small. |
| Three-quarters were citizens of the country they attacked, with others either legal residents, or legal visitors from neighbouring countries. | Three-quarters were citizens of the country they attacked, with others either legal residents, or legal visitors from neighbouring countries. |
| However, individuals who were in the West illegally also carried out deadly attacks. | However, individuals who were in the West illegally also carried out deadly attacks. |
| At least two of those involved in the November 2015 Paris attacks are thought to have posed as refugees to enter Europe through Greece. | At least two of those involved in the November 2015 Paris attacks are thought to have posed as refugees to enter Europe through Greece. |
| Three other individuals were refugees or asylum seekers at the time of attack, while four were in the country illegally or awaiting deportation. | Three other individuals were refugees or asylum seekers at the time of attack, while four were in the country illegally or awaiting deportation. |
| The latter group includes Uzbek national Rakhmat Akilov, who killed four people with a hijacked lorry in Stockholm in April 2017, and Tunisian citizen Anis Amri, who also used a lorry to commit his attack at the Berlin Christmas market. | The latter group includes Uzbek national Rakhmat Akilov, who killed four people with a hijacked lorry in Stockholm in April 2017, and Tunisian citizen Anis Amri, who also used a lorry to commit his attack at the Berlin Christmas market. |
| There is also one case of "terrorist tourism", involving Egyptian citizen Abdullah Hamamy, who lived in the United Arab Emirates and attacked soldiers at the Louvre in February 2017. | There is also one case of "terrorist tourism", involving Egyptian citizen Abdullah Hamamy, who lived in the United Arab Emirates and attacked soldiers at the Louvre in February 2017. |
| Links to IS | Links to IS |
| Two of the four most lethal attacks - those in Paris in November 2015 and in Brussels in 2016 - are believed to be well orchestrated multiple attacks directed by IS. | Two of the four most lethal attacks - those in Paris in November 2015 and in Brussels in 2016 - are believed to be well orchestrated multiple attacks directed by IS. |
| They were also executed in part by former foreign fighters. | They were also executed in part by former foreign fighters. |
| However, the two other most deadly attacks - those in Orlando in June 2016 and in Nice in July 2016 - were carried out independently by individuals without operational connection to a jihadist group. | However, the two other most deadly attacks - those in Orlando in June 2016 and in Nice in July 2016 - were carried out independently by individuals without operational connection to a jihadist group. |
| These episodes demonstrate that terrorist sympathisers who never travelled to conflict areas and who act independently can be as dangerous as a team of highly trained militants. | These episodes demonstrate that terrorist sympathisers who never travelled to conflict areas and who act independently can be as dangerous as a team of highly trained militants. |
| Overall, links between attackers and jihadist groups operating overseas are not always easy to determine. | Overall, links between attackers and jihadist groups operating overseas are not always easy to determine. |
| Of the attacks that have hit the West since June 2014, fewer than one in 10 was carried out under direct orders from the leadership of IS. | Of the attacks that have hit the West since June 2014, fewer than one in 10 was carried out under direct orders from the leadership of IS. |
| Nevertheless, the influence of IS can be clearly seen. | Nevertheless, the influence of IS can be clearly seen. |
| During or before the attack, six out of 10 perpetrators pledged allegiance to a jihadist group, almost always IS - which frequently claims responsibility. | During or before the attack, six out of 10 perpetrators pledged allegiance to a jihadist group, almost always IS - which frequently claims responsibility. |
| Learning the lessons | Learning the lessons |
| Unsurprisingly, given the frequency of attacks and the number of deaths and injuries, jihadist terrorism has come to the fore of political debates in the West and receives widespread news coverage. | Unsurprisingly, given the frequency of attacks and the number of deaths and injuries, jihadist terrorism has come to the fore of political debates in the West and receives widespread news coverage. |
| The threat is not expected to wane in the near future, with policymakers, counter-terrorism officials and the public all being asked to take action. | The threat is not expected to wane in the near future, with policymakers, counter-terrorism officials and the public all being asked to take action. |
| There are huge implications for domestic and foreign policy throughout Western countries. | There are huge implications for domestic and foreign policy throughout Western countries. |
| It is hoped that knowing more about the attacks and the people who carried them out will help us all have a more informed debate about what action is needed. | It is hoped that knowing more about the attacks and the people who carried them out will help us all have a more informed debate about what action is needed. |
| About this piece | About this piece |
| This analysis piece was commissioned by the BBC from an expert working for an outside organisation. | This analysis piece was commissioned by the BBC from an expert working for an outside organisation. |