FUNDACIÓN VÍCTIMAS DEL TERRORISMO 95 - ENGLISH

12 NEWS Terrorism remains, in 2025, one of the most complex and persistent threats to global and national security. This is con- firmed by the thirteenth Annual Natio- nal Security Report, a document that not only provides an updated diagnosis of the risks facing Spain and Europe but also places a central element at the heart of its analysis: the care, protection, and dignity of victims of terrorism. In a context cha- racterized by the rapid transformation of threats, the convergence of digital radica- lization, geopolitical conflicts, and social vulnerabilities requires comprehensive responses that combine prevention, po- lice action, and memory. ANUAL NATIONAL SECURITY REPORT TERRORISM IN CONSTANT MUTATION The report stresses that terrorism has shown a remarkable capacity to adapt to changes in the international envi- ronment. Far from disappearing, jiha- dist organizations have evolved both in their structures and in their methods of action. In 2025, the main focus of activity shifted to Africa, specifically the Sahel, where institutional weak- ness, armed conflicts, and the absence of territorial control have favored the expansion of groups linked to Al Qaeda and the self-proclaimed Islamic State. Countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Ni- ger, and Nigeria have become epicenters of violence that not only affects regional stability but also projects its influence toward Europe. The Sahel's so-called "tri- ple border" illustrates this phenomenon: an area where terrorist organizations seek to consolidate territorial power, con- trol populations, and establish funding and recruitment networks. In this context, both Al Qaeda, throu- gh JNIM, and Daesh, through its Sahel affiliate, have developed sophisticated strategies that combine territorial con- trol with the destabilization of state structures. The result is an increasin- gly transnational threat that directly affects European security. EUROPE, A PRIORITY TARGET Europe remains one of the main targets of jihadist terrorism. This is not so much because of its immediate vulnerability as because of the symbolic, media, and political impact an attack on its territory would have. Although no large-scale at- tacks have been recorded in recent years, the threat remains high and is taking new forms. The report identifies the "homegrown terro- rist fighter" (HTF) as the main risk. These are individuals radicalizedwithinEuropean societies themselves, generally young people — sometimes minors — with limited reli- gious training but high exposure to extre- mist content on the internet. These profiles accounted for most terro- rism-related arrests in Spain in 2025. A total of 113 arrests linked to terrorismwere carried out, 100 in Spain and 13 abroad. Most followed the pattern of the lone ac- tor, radicalized in digital environments and capable of carrying out low-sophistication attacks using simple means such as knives or vehicles. This tactical evolution, based on simpli- city and spontaneity, greatly complicates the preventive work of authorities. Unlike attacks organized by complex cells, the- se attacks require less planning and are harder to detect. TERRORISM AND THE PROTECTION OF VICTIMS 2025 NATIONAL SECURITY REPORT