ISIS, the Deadliest Terrorist Group

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is the deadliest terrorist network in the world. The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), in its *Global Terrorism Index 2016*, identifies ISIS as the group responsible for the highest number of casualties in the past year. IEP recorded that this network, based in Syria and Iraq, caused the deaths of 6,208 people in various countries including Bahrain, France, Iraq, Syria, and Tunisia. In addition to fatalities, ISIS also inflicted 6,208 injuries. ISIS reported revenues reaching US$2 billion annually from oil smuggling, funds used to finance its operations.

The second deadliest group is Boko Haram, based in the African region encompassing Nigeria and Cameroon. This group, also known as Jama'at Ahl S-Sunnah li-l-Da'wah wa'l-Jihad, killed 5,478 people in 491 attacks. Third is the Taliban group, responsible for 4,502 deaths, followed by Al-Qaeda with 1,620 deaths.

These four terrorist groups are responsible for 74 percent of terrorism-related deaths worldwide throughout 2015. Citing the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), the report explains that terrorist attacks are typically aimed at government military groups; however, in reality, these actions kill far more civilians.