Islamic terrorism in Europe

**Islamic terrorism in Europe** describes an act of terrorism by an individual, called "lone wolf attack", or extremist/terrorist organisations who call themselves "Jihad" (meaning an armed struggle driven by religion), in the continent of any nations in Europe. Such attacks have been affiliated with or inspired of terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda, Islamic State (ISIS) and its branches or proxy alliances. Islamic terrorism has affected security, politics and society of many European countries since the late 20th century.

Islamic terrorism rose quickly during and after the 2015 European migrant crisis, where over 1 million people came to Europe mostly from Africa and the Middle East primarily due to wars. Because of these terrorist acts, Islamophobia continues to rise in Europe and many parts of the world.

## Causes

The origins of Islamic terrorism in Europe were from many combinations of international issues, political and ideological instability which were developed in the late decades of the 20th century.

### International conflicts

This kind of terrorism has been affected by many conflicts involving major Muslim nations. The Soviet–Afghan War is an example, thousands of people volunteered to fight against the Soviet occupation, contributing to the rise of various groups like Al-Qaeda. The same way with the Algerian Civil War, which caused a widespread wave of violence, especially in France, it was considered a revenge because many of the European governments' support of the Algerian regime.

The September 11 attacks and the war on terror marked a major blow from threats of Islamic terrorism. Al-Qaeda and ISIS declared wars on the United States and all nations participated in the war on terror in the Middle East. Threats from Islamic terrorism significantly increased and overall affected the globe. Europe became a direct target of Jihadism. The European Union (EU) increases cooperation against terrorism and applies some new policies.

The 2003 invasion of Iraq, later the Iraq War, was supported by many European nations. This was later used as an excuse to commit terrorist acts in Europe.

### Domestic extremism

From 2000 onwards, terrorism no longer appears in foreign countries but also happens directly in European communities. Many young Muslims influenced by extremist theories and accepted Jihadism like a platform to prove themselves. This extremist acts often happen through social media, personal relations, etc. Some people involved in attacks were recognized by the government/authorities but were not considered as dangerous enough to be arrested.

### Other factors

Besides the explanations above, Islamic terrorism in Europe also has its origins from many pro-longed and complex situations.

#### Islamic extremism

One of the main ideology platforms of Islamic terrorism is the belief of the necessary to create a state with Sharia law (a Muslim law) putting in place, it was considered the only legitimate and legal law by Islamic extremists and therefore a global Muslim empire. This law considers all Western countries and other Islamic regimes which do not apply this law is illegal. Various Islamic extremists who considered Jihadism as not only an armed struggle but also an arms race to achieve their targets.

#### Opposition to Western culture

The origin of Islamic terrorism also comes from the reject of values, cultures and system of the Western sides. This rejection includes the criticism of gender equality, personal freedom and other rules that are considered the "opposite" of the "main/traditional" Muslim laws. Many extremist groups often see the presence of Western modernization as threats towards Muslim culture and a tool to decrease morale. This statement has improved by the thoughts of Western's control of cultures and economy according to Muslim countries.

#### Hatred towards Western foreign policy

An another fundamental reason for that is the hatred of many towards the foreign policy of the United States and other European nations (including the United Kingdom and France) in the Islamic world. Such criticism includes the military involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria, and the support for Israel during the long Israeli–Palestinian conflict (See also: Gaza war). For many extremist groups, these acts are considered the invasion against the religion, making them look like victims, which "justify" their violence under so-called "revenge" or "self-defence".

#### Personal interaction

In Europe, many people get into extremism is because when many young people who were born or raised in the condition that are not helpful: being excluded from society, discrimination, unemployment, etc. In this reason, extremism brings a more reasonable feeling, a feeling comes from a superior move and wants to do something superior.

### Methods and activities

Various attacks include many methods, from explosion, knife, gun, vehicle to suicide attacks. These are the most common attacks:

- **Explosion**: man-made or regular bombs. Examples like Madrid (2004), London (2005) and Brussels (2016).
- **Automatic weapons**: Automatic firearms like the ones used in Paris (2015) and the attacks of newspaper _Charlie Hebdo_ (2015).
- **Vehicle-ramming attacks**: Aims at a particular group or individual, examples include Nice and Berlin (both 2016), Stockholm (2017) and London (multiple attacks).
- **Bladed weapons**: Usually knife or machete, especially during the "lone wolf attack" or other attacks (London attacks in 2017 and 2019).
- **Self-immolations**: A type of suicide attack, like in Paris (2015) and Manchester (2017).
In recent years, methods of attacks are generally simple due to high and improved security plus the difficult to interact explosive materials. It also has different organise attacks. As time passes, there have been high scale attacks, including alone attacks (lone wolf attack).

### Perpetrators

Perpetrators of these attacks are mostly the citizens of Europe, old residents of the continent or refugees. In some cases, where extremism affects people or having connections with extremist groups. Profiles of these attackers are diverse, but can be split into three groups:

- **Trained, organised and skilled terrorist groups**: Have close or direct connections with groups like Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State (ISIS). They mostly act with cooperation and had already planned in foreign nations (Example: Paris, 2015).
- **"Domestic" terrorists**: Citizens or nationals of European nations who get radicalized in their own nations. They often get brainwashed by extremist ideologies through the Internet or other local proxies/platforms (Like the 7 July 2005 London bombings).
- **Lone wolf attack**: Individuals who act alone, no connections with anyone or any groups, but inspired of extremist propaganda. Mostly at the time they use weapons like knives and guns or attack by ramming vehicles (2016 Brussels bombings).

In some occasions, the perpetrator(s) have already been known by the authorities/agencies or have shown their radicalization before, but not enough evidence to arrest them yet.

### Casualties

A total of 7,671 people have become victims of Islamic extremism in Europe, including 989 deaths and 6,682 injuries.

## Authorities' responses

With the rise of terrorism since the early 21st century, European countries have developed various methods to prevent, calm down or confront Islamic terrorism. These methods have been executed in both state and international cooperation level.

Surveilling people who have potential extremist ideologies have been increasing, agency services  have improved with technology and personnel, multinational cooperations are also established through organisations like Interpol, Europol and the European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC) and many efforts to tightly control borders have been putting in place, especially after the attacks in Paris and Brussels.

Moreover, new counter-terrorism laws have been in active, expanding powers to police and authorities to prevent phone calls, arrest suspects and disestablishing groups that aligned with extremist organisations. In some countries, taking away citizenships have been applied to individuals who take parts in terrorist activities. Glorifying and spreading terrorism have also been criminalized.

### Methods to prevent radicalisation

Along with force surpression, many European countries had built stragetic concentrate prevention methods primarily against extremism and violence.

Educational and community programs have been introduced with many ideas in schools and communities in order to spread awareness and integration, helping moderate religious leaders who spread non-violent Islamic ideologies and safe places for young people who are potentially being "removed" in society.

This approachment concentrates in early intervention, with many societal workers (psychologists, personnel, policemen/policewomen, etc.) working with people who are easily being radicalised. Anonymous hotlines are also created so that family members or close relatives can report signs of radicalisation.

Some countries (like Denmark and Germany) have introduced **re-integration programs** for former radicalised individuals, including mental support, education and jobs.

### Society

- Increasing Islamophobia and fears of Islam, especially after massive terrorist attacks.
- Development of populism and far-right ideologies linking immigration to terrorism.
- Decreasing the trust of multiculturalism and integration programs.
- Refusal of accepting migrants, immigrants and refugees and laws accepting such.

### Politics

- **Reconstruction** of security agencies.
- Using terrorism as main **political campaigns** in elections.

### France

In May 2025, a report from many French intelligent agencies were, under Bertrand Chamouland (director of the French National Directorate of Territorial Intelligence), represented to the French National Assembly on 5 March the same year, were being told. This report indicated that Islamic extremism, specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, which are considered by many nations a Islamic terrorist organisation, is a threat to societal connection and institutions of the French nation. Muslims in France were identified to be a national branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. The report mentions the intervention of Islamic politics into sports, cultures, societies and its expansions in France and the European Union, due to its decline in the Arabic–Islamic world and its rises in Europe.

According to this report, none of the documents proved the Muslim people's desires to create an Islamic state in France. Bruno Retailleau, the director of the French Ministry of Interior, said that the purpose behind the Islamic expansion is to apply Sharia law into French society.

### Criticism and controversies

Mainstream media sites have been criticized for the coverage of Islamic terrorism and such due to the coverage being the main reason for increasing Islamophobia (fears, hatred towards Islam) and contributing to divide the communities.

## Related pages

- Islam and fascism