Mahmut Cengiz, Christopher Costa
Terrorist organizations are rarely random or senseless in their acts of violence. Rather, their attacks are often strategically planned to reflect their ideological goals, operational capabilities, and political objectives. While some groups are selective in targeting military and law enforcement personnel, others adopt a more indiscriminate approach, directing violence toward infrastructure, commercial centers, or cultural landmarks. The Global Terrorism Trends and Analysis Center (GTTAC), operating under the US Department of State, has compiled extensive records on global terrorist incidents, documenting over 60,000 cases from January 2018 to June 2025. These records include detailed variables such as perpetrator group, attack type, victim category, logistical details, and—critically—the type of facility targeted. Facility types are classified into six categories: commercial, government, cultural, infrastructure, military, and miscellaneous.
This study examines GTTAC data from 2018 to 2024, analyzing patterns in facility targeting across global terrorist incidents. Understanding which types of facilities are most frequently attacked provides valuable insights into the strategic behavior, ideological perspectives, and resource capabilities of terrorist groups. This analysis also supports broader counterterrorism efforts by identifying vulnerable sectors and guiding targeted protective measures.
Facility Type Targeting Trends
Figure 1 below shows the distribution of facility types targeted by terrorist groups from 2018 to 2024. The data reveal that infrastructure was the most commonly targeted category, with a total of 22,108 incidents recorded. This category includes a wide range of sub-targets, including agriculture and food systems, civilian aviation, communications, cyber and digital infrastructure, construction and factory sites, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, land transportation systems, maritime and fishing sectors, private property, residential areas, and utilities and mining operations. The variety of these subcategories reflects the extensive scope of what counts as infrastructure and highlights terrorist organizations’ strategic focus on disrupting essential services and causing widespread societal instability.
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