Covid and Terrorism

The Covid-19 had brought many challenges for humanity and one among those was of terrorism. Terrorist groups have been able to utilise the past situation of chaos, and turmoil to their advantage and take leverage of the situation.

One of the ways in which terrorist groups have taken advantage of the pandemic is by targeting vulnerable populations. With healthcare systems overwhelmed and governments struggling to respond to the crisis, terrorist organizations have found it easier to exploit weak spots in security and infrastructure. For example, in some countries, terrorists have targeted hospitals and other medical facilities, taking advantage of the diversion of security resources to COVID-19 response efforts.

Disruption of the global economy, led by covid-19 had left people economically crippled. Unemployment and Monetary issues had forced vulnerable sections to resort to terrorism. . The global recession caused by the pandemic has led to increased unemployment and poverty, which have in turn led to greater radicalization and recruitment by terrorist organizations. The pandemic has also disrupted supply chains which have caused food and water shortages which have made local communities more vulnerable to extremist groups.

Speaking at the high-level segment event focussing on countering the financing of terrorism in the post-COVID landscape, UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly highlighted that during the pandemic, terrorists worked to circumvent travel restrictions by using virtual currencies and digital services to raise and move funds in the digital space.  

“Terrorists – like all criminals – have sought to profit from COVID-19, to make money, strengthen their base and to fuel division."   Jürgen Stock, INTERPOL Secretary General

In conclusion, Although the pandemic has clearly presented the counter-terrorism community with significant challenges, there is as yet limited evidence of any clear correlation between the pandemic and a change in the nature or intensity of terrorist violence. However, CTED’s analysis indicates that, in many regions, the pandemic is likely to have increased the underlying drivers and structural factors that are often conducive to terrorism.