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Definitions

Definitions are split into the following categories:

 

Event Definitions [back to top]

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Event date

The date on which the event began, based on the local time of the event

Event type

The top-level classification used to categorise each event recorded as one of three non-state armed group (NSAG) event types, or three counter-terrorism (CT) event types.

  • CT Judicial - Any formal measure taken by the state's judicial system against a militant or militant network, e.g. charges, convictions, extraditions, etc.
  • CT Operation - An incident in which state security forces attempt to kill, capture or disrupt militants and their networks.
  • CT Statement - An incident in which a non-militant actor makes a notable written or verbal statement about militants and/or militancy.
  • NSAG Action - An incident in which militants or their supporters commit a non-violent political act (such as signing a ceasefire), or a non-political violent act (such as a bank robbery).
  • NSAG Attack - An incident in which a sub-state actor (either an individual or organisation) commits an illegal act of politically or ideologically motivated violence against persons or property, with the aim of coercing others to adopt or comply with its objectives, or to submit to their authority.
  • NSAG Statement - An incident in which militants or their supporters issue a notable written or verbal statement.

Event significance

  • Critical - An event that has international significance and is therefore likely to be of especial interest to all JTIC clients.
  • Significant - An event that is particularly significant in the context of the theatre in which it occurred, and is therefore likely to be of especial interest to analysts of that theatre, and also of interest to JTIC clients in general.
  • Notable - An event that is notable in the context of the theatre in which it occurred, and therefore likely to be of interest to analysts of that theatre, but which is unlikely to be of particular interest to JTIC clients in general.
  • Common - An event that is routine in the context of the theatre in which it occurred, and therefore likely to be of limited interest even to analysts of that theatre.

Region / country

The country or countries in which the event occurred.

Group Definitions [back to top]

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Group family

A set of militants – usually within a particular country – which share a common set of characteristics that may be used to define them as a sub-set within the wider militant scene

Group name

A set of militants – usually within a particular country – which share a common set of characteristics that may be used to define them

Group scope

The geographical range of the threat posed by the group, determined with reference to the group’s operational history and/or stated targeting history

Group orientation

The ideology which motivates group formation and mobilises recruits

Group role

Indicates whether the actor being recorded played an Active or Passive role in the event.

  • Active - The actor initiated the event being recorded, e.g. carried out an operation, or issued a statement.
  • Passive - The actor did not initiate the event, but was directly impacted by it, e.g. the target of an operation, or the subject of a statement.

Attack Definitions [back to top]

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Attack scale

  • Extreme - Extreme attacks must meet one or more of the following criteria:
    • At least 100 civilian, security force, or unidentified fatalities.
    • Structural damage to an iconic national building or monument, or a key piece of critical national infrastructure.
  • Macro - Macro attacks must meet one or more of the following criteria:
    • At least 10 civilian, security force, or unidentified fatalities, or 50 wounded/abducted;
    • Structural damage to a notable building or piece of infrastructure (government offices, military barracks, airports, international hotels, etc).
  • Micro - Micro attacks must meet one or more of the following criteria:
    • At least one civilian, security force, or unidentified person killed/wounded/captured;
    • Structural or otherwise significant damage to any building or piece of infrastructure.
    • Destruction of any vehicle, equipment or other property.
  • Nano - If an attack was carried out, but caused no civilian, security force or unidentified casualties, and no more than superficial damage to buildings or other property (i.e. consistent with vandalism), it should be classified as a Nano attack.
  • Disrupted - If an attack was underway, but was prevented from being executed by some kind of external intervention, it should be classified as a Disrupted attack, e.g. an IED is emplaced but gets defused before it was supposed to detonate; a suicide bomber is shot before he can detonate; or a rocket is intercepted and destroyed in flight.
  • Failed - If an attack was underway, but was prevented from being executed by some kind of human or technical failure, it should be classified as a Failed attack, e.g. when an IED is emplaced but fails to detonate for any reason.

Tactic

  • Ambush - An Ambush is an attack involving a close-quarters engagement with a mobile or moving target, typically launched from a pre-prepared position, which seeks to use the element of surprise to ensure the encounter is short, one-sided and decisive.
  • Hit And Run - A Hit And Run is an attack involving a brief close-quarters engagement with a fixed position, with the aim of quickly inflicting damage or casualties while minimising the exposure of the militants (who may remain mobile throughout the encounter). Unlike a Raid or Assault , there is no attempt to capture or destroy the target.
  • Assault - An Assault is an attack involving a sustained close-quarters engagement with a fixed position which is capable of offering armed resistance, with the aim of seizing, looting or destroying the position, or attacking its inhabitants.
  • Raid - A Raid is an attack involving a sustained close-quarters engagement with a fixed position which is not capable of offering armed resistance, with the aim of seizing, looting or destroying the position, or attacking its inhabitants.
  • Engagement - An Engagement is a close-quarters encounter between two armed forces manoeuvring in the same environment, i.e. between land forces (where the incident does not qualify as an Ambush ), between military aircraft, or between naval vessels.
  • Stand-off/Area Attack - A Stand-off/Area Attack is a one-sided attack which does not normally involve a close-quarters engagement with the target, but which instead employs a stand-off area weapon - such as IEDs, mines, artillery, mortars, rockets, missiles, etc - designed to cause collective and indiscriminate damage from a distance to people and property within the immediate radius of the target.
  • Sabotage - A Sabotage operation is an attack whose objective is to damage or destroy specific equipment, vehicles, monuments or infrastructure with the aim of preventing them from serving their function. While the intent may be to cause casualties (e.g. by derailing a train), the act of sabotage itself (e.g. removing train tracks) should not itself cause casualties.
  • Assassination - An Assassination is an operation which has the limited objective of killing a selectively-targeted individual or group of individuals in a highly discriminate, focused attack.
  • Wounding - A Wounding is an attack whose apparent primary objective is the inflicting of deliberately non-lethal injuries on an individual or group of individuals, typically with the aim of punishing or coercing the individual(s) and/or their community.
  • Kidnap - A Kidnap operation is an attack involving the seizure, removal and holding of an individual (or group of individuals), typically but not necessarily for the purposes of securing some demand, or for publicity.
  • Siege, Hostage, Hijack - A Siege, Hostage, Hijack operation is an attack involving the public seizure and holding of a building or vehicle - along with any inhabitants - typically but not necessarily for the purposes of securing some demand, or for publicity.
  • Riot - A Riot is a mass demonstration that involves the illegal use of violence against people or damage to property.
  • Coup - A Coup is an illegal and unconstitutional attempt to seize state power via a single decisive act which aims to decapitate the existing administration - typically by killing, capturing or exiling the current leadership.

Target's environment

  • Urban - The target was in a built-up area at the time of the attack, i.e. cities, towns and other large settlements. Includes attacks on targets travelling on a river passing through such an area.
  • Rural - The target was in a rural or wilderness area at the time of the attack. Includes attacks on targets travelling on a river passing through such an area.
  • Maritime - The target was at sea or on a large inland water body at the time of the attack.
  • Air - The target was airborne at the time of the attack.
  • Virtual - The target was a virtual entity, existing only on the internet or other computer network (e.g. a website or database).

Attack platform

  • Man-portable - The weapon was portable and handheld (e.g. a rifle) or emplaced by hand (e.g. an IED).
  • Vehicle-borne - The weapon was mounted on a land vehicle, or the vehicle itself was used as an impact weapon.
  • Sea-launched - The weapon was mounted on a maritime vessel, or the vessel itself was used as an impact weapon.
  • Air-launched - The weapon was mounted on an aircraft, or the aircraft itself was used as an impact weapon.
  • Mail - The weapon was delivered through the postal system, e.g. a mail bomb or anthrax letter.
  • Cyber - The weapon was delivered through a computer network, e.g. a virus was deployed, or an operating system was hacked.
  • Other/Unknown - It was unclear from reports how the weapon was delivered to the target.

Attack weapon

  • Direct Fire Infantry - Personal handheld weapons requiring line of sight engagement with the target, e.g. handguns, rifles, RPGs, and other small-arms.
  • Direct Fire Heavy - Crew-manned or platform-mounted weapons requiring line of sight engagement with the target, e.g., anti-aircraft gun, vehicle/ship/aircraft-mounted cannon, 'technicals', etc.
  • Indirect Fire Tactical - Unguided indirect fire weapons enabling stand-off engagements within the immediate battle space, such as mortars, artillery, short-range rockets.
  • Indirect Fire Strategic - Unguided indirect fire weapons enabling strategic engagements beyond the immediate battle space, such as medium and long-range rockets.
  • Guided Missile - Guided weapons enabling stand-off engagements within the immediate battle space, or strategic engagements beyond the immediate battle space. Includes surface-to-air missiles (SAM), man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), guided anti-tank missiles, etc.
  • Explosives - Any form of homemade, commercial, or military explosive, including fragmentation grenades.
  • Incendiary Device - The use of fire, or a device initiating fire.
  • CBRN - Chemical (e.g. Sarin), biological (e.g. Anthrax), radiological, or nuclear weapons.
  • Poison or Toxic - The use of a poisonous or toxic substance as a weapon, e.g. Ricin.
  • Vehicle Impact - A land, sea or air vehicle used as an impact weapon, as opposed to as a platform for a weapon.
  • Edged & Improvised - Knives and swords; pre-modern weapons such as the slingshot or bow and arrows; improvised weapons such as baseball bats, rocks, etc.
  • Imitation Weapons - Any object used to convince others of a lethal capability, e.g. a dummy IED, replica firearm, etc.
  • Virus/Malware - The attack involved the use of a virus or other malware, deployed over a computer network.
  • None - The perpetrator was unarmed.
  • Other/Unknown - It was unclear from reports what weapon type was used.

Suicide attack

  • Yes - Indicates that the platform/weapon was used as part of a suicide attack - defined as an offensive act which simultaneously both kills the perpetrator and inflicts (or is intended and capable of inflicting) casualties or damage on a target.
  • Suspected - Indicates that it is suspected that the platform/weapon was used as part of a suicide attack, but official confirmation was unavailable.
  • No - Indicates that there was no indication the platform/weapon was used as part of a suicide attack.
  • Suicidal - Indicates that the platform/weapon was used as part of a suicidal attack, defined as an operation in which the perpetrators make no attempt to escape or surrender, but fight until they are killed or incapacitated.

Target sector

  • Security Forces - An attack directed at the security forces of the state, or those of a foreign state, i.e. police, intelligence, military, paramilitary and state-sponsored civilian militias.
  • Government & Governance - An attack directed at transnational governance structures (the UN, IMF, World Bank, etc); domestic governance structures (parliament, ministries, politicians, tribal leaders, etc); the judiciary (courts, judges, attorney generals, etc); and diplomatic targets (embassies, ambassadors, etc).
  • Non-State Armed Groups - An attack directed by militants against other militants, i.e. an inter-factional clash between members of the same group, or a clash between two or more rival militant groups.
  • Identity Groups - An attack directed at a section of society whose members are defined by a shared characteristic which is a fixed part of their identity, rather than a behavioural choice, e.g. race, religion, gender, nationality, etc.
  • Social Groups - An attack directed at a section of society whose members are defined by a shared behaviour which is a personal choice, rather than a fixed part of their identity, e.g. political affiliation, lifestyle choices, etc.
  • National Infrastructure - An attack directed at facilities, infrastructure and other national assets which are critical to the normal functioning of the state (e.g. power stations, water supply, mass transport, etc), or which have iconic national status (e.g. monuments, famous historical buildings, etc).
  • Civil Society - An attack directed at those elements of society which help monitor and constrain the power of the state and the broader establishment, and/or help empower individual citizens and secure their rights, e.g. independent news journalism, trade unions, NGOs, interest groups, etc.
  • Public Sector - An attack directed at services provided by the state (or by the private sector in partnership with the state) on behalf of the general population, e.g. hospitals and healthcare, education, local council services (refuse, road maintenance etc), postal services, etc.
  • Commerce & Industry - An attack directed at commerce and industry - from resource extraction, through manufacturing, to retail and other services.
  • Random or Indiscriminate - An attack which impacts random people and/or property - either because target selection was indiscriminate, or because a specific target was attacked with an indiscriminate weapon that caused collateral damage (e.g. civilians killed in an IED attack targeting soldiers).
  • Other/Unknown - the target sector was unspecified or unclassifiable

Target sub sector

Target sector Target sub-sectors
Security Forces
  • Police/Intelligence - An attack directed at the civilian branches of the state's security forces.
  • Domestic Military - An attack directed at the military branches of the state's security forces.
  • Foreign Security Forces - An attack directed at foreign security forces operating in the country, including foreign peacekeepers.
  • Paramilitary - An attack directed at civilians formally employed by the state in a security role, alongside its regular security forces, and usually bearing arms.
  • Militia - An attack directed at armed civilians that are mobilised by the state or its allies, and may receive a salary etc, but which normally operate semi-autonomously rather than alongside the state's regular security forces.
  • Other/Unknown - An attack directed against unspecified or unidentified security forces.
Government & Governance
  • Transnational - An attack directed at a transnational governance structure, including global bodies such as the UN, IMF and the World Bank; and regional bodies such as the EU, AU, etc.
  • Ruling Political - An attack directed at members of the current government administration and their staff, parliamentary buildings and ministries, and other targets associated with central government authority.
  • Other Political - An attack directed at parties or politicians currently in opposition, i.e. they participate in the country's political process, but are not part of the administration currently in power.
  • Local Government - An attack directed at local governance structures, i.e. institutions which are not an arm of the central government, and whose responsibilities are limited to local administration, e.g. mayors, councils, tribal leaders, etc.
  • Civil Service - An attack directed at staff and institutions responsible for helping draft and implement government policy, but which are not themselves political entities, e.g. tax offices, policy advisors, etc.
  • Foreign Diplomatic - An attack directed at foreign politicians and diplomatic staff who are visiting or stationed in the country, and their embassies and official residences.
  • Judiciary - An attack directed at the institutions through which the state maintains justice, e.g. courts, the judiciary, public prosecutors, etc. Other/Unknown - An attack directed at an unspecified or unidentified governance structure.
  • Other/Unknown - An attack directed at an unspecified or unidentified governance structure.
Non-State Armed Groups
  • Inter-factional - An attack directed at fellow members of a militant group.
  • Inter-group - An attack directed at a rival militant group or grouping.
  • Other/Unknown - An attack directed against militants, where the active or the passive group (or both) are unknown.
Identity Groups
  • Religious - An attack directed at a religious community.
  • Ethno-cultural - An attack directed at a particular ethno-cultural group, defined as a community within a country that may be differentiated from others based on a (possibly subjective) perception that they share distinguishing characteristics such as race, religion, culture, or history.
  • National - An attack directed at nationals of a particular foreign country, or group of countries, targeted solely because of their association with that country (as opposed to their status as a soldier/diplomat/etc of that country).
  • Class/Caste - An attack directed at a section of society perceived (possibly subjectively) to constitute a distinct socio-economic class or caste.
  • Gender/Orientation - An attack directed at members of a particular gender, or a particular sexual orientation.
  • Other Physical - An attack directed at individuals with a distinguishing physical attribute (other than race), such as a disability.
  • Other/Unknown - An attack directed at an unspecified or unidentified identity group.
Social Groups
  • Political Affiliation - An attack directed at a particular political constituency, i.e. supporters of a particular political party or movement, including members of youth wings and local supporters' groups.
  • Collaborator - An attack directed at individuals or communities perceived to be co-operating or colluding with the authorities or any other rival entity.
  • Behavioural - An attack directed at individuals or communities perceived by the perpetrators to be guilty of amoral behaviour in their personal lives.
  • Other/Unknown - An attack directed at an unspecified or unidentified identity group.
National Infrastructure
  • Ports, Airports & Public Transport - An attack directed at state-owned transportation infrastructure (cargo and public transport), and commercial public transport.
  • Telecoms & State Media - An attack directed at national telecommunications infrastructure (state or commercially-owned), or on state-owned broadcasting/media organisations and their staff.
  • Power Generation & Supply - An attack directed at facilities and infrastructure involved in electricity generation and distribution, e.g. oil/gas/coal/nuclear power stations, hydroelectric plants, wind farms, electricity sub-stations and transmission lines, etc.
  • Reservoirs & Water Supply - An attack directed at infrastructure involved in the purification, storage, distribution and waste treatment of water.
  • Economic Infrastructure - An attack directed at the state's economic institutions, such as central banks, stock exchanges, or established financial districts (e.g. Canary Wharf in London or Wall Street in New York).
  • Cultural Heritage - An attack directed at an iconic building or monument of cultural or historical value to the nation.
  • Other/Unknown - An attack directed at unspecified or unclassifiable national infrastructure.
Civil Society
  • News Media - An attack directed at a news organisation or against journalists.
  • Civic Services - An attack directed at community organisations involved in the provision of local services, either in place of, or in support of, the public sector.
  • Trade Unions - An attack directed at trade unions or other types of labour organisations.
  • NGOs - An attack directed at non-government organisations (NGOs) and charities.
  • Interest Groups - An attack directed at formal or informal interest groups, typically activist organisations or movements campaigning on a single issue.
  • Other/Unknown - An attack directed at an unspecified or unclassifiable civil society target.
Public Sector
  • Health - An attack directed at state or privately provided health services that are directly involved in the treatment and care of patients.
  • Education - An attack directed at state or privately provided education services, such as schools and universities, that are directly involved in teaching.
  • Mail/Postal - An attack directed at state or privately provided mail and courier services.
  • Local Services - An attack directed at other local services provided by councils and/or local government, e.g. refuse collection, road maintenance, libraries, etc.
  • Other/Unknown - An attack directed at an unspecified or unclassifiable public sector target.
Commerce & Industry
  • Defence Industry - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in the research and development, and sale or provision, of defence equipment and services.
  • Entertainment Media - An attack directed at private firms involved in the production, distribution, and/or broadcasting of any form of entertainment media (excluding print), i.e. film, television, music, radio, social media and other online, etc.
  • Telecommunication - An attack directed at firms involved in the telecommunications sector (radio and television broadcasting, telephones, satellite communications, etc).
  • Legal Services - An attack directed at private firms engaged in the provision of legal services to the public and/or other companies.
  • Financial Services - An attack directed at private firms engaged in the provision of financial services to the public and/or other companies, e.g. high-street and investment banks, accountancy firms, hedge funds and stockbrokers, etc.
  • Other Professional Services - An attack directed at private firms engaged in the provision of any professional service not covered by Legal Services or Financial Services , e.g. management consultancies, recruitment consultancies, IT consultants, architects, etc.
  • Other Commercial - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in wholesale trade (i.e. selling goods to other companies), or providing skilled and unskilled services to other companies, e.g. caterers, cleaners, electrical engineers, etc.
  • Shops & Other Retail - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in retail (i.e. selling goods to the public), including high-street services such as hairdressers, internet cafes, betting shops, etc; and high-volume fast food and drink stores, defined as those where many or most of the customers take the product away, e.g. McDonalds, Starbucks, etc.
  • Other Small Business - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in providing services to the public that are not normally associated with a high-street shop-front, e.g. car mechanics, plumbers and electricians, etc.
  • Hotels & Tourism - An attack directed at the tourist industry (including services provided by the state), e.g. hotels, tour guides, etc.
  • Leisure - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in providing leisure and entertainment facilities, services, or events to the public - such as bars, restaurants, and nightclubs; and all forms of sporting and cultural activities, e.g. football stadiums, theatres, cinemas, etc.
  • Science/Technology - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in science or technology based research and development for the civilian market (i.e. not defence industry), e.g. animal testing, software, chemical research, etc.
  • Manufacturing - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in the civilian manufacturing industry, i.e. the assembly of raw materials into products.
  • Energy — Upstream - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in any aspect of the energy industry from initial exploration to the extraction of raw materials, e.g. oil wells, coal mines, etc.
  • Energy — Downstream - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in any aspect of the energy industry from the refining of extracted material to its eventual retail, e.g. oil refineries, fuel depots and petrol stations, etc.
  • Construction/Engineering - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in the construction industry, i.e. the design and building of homes/offices, roads/bridges, etc.
  • Agriculture/Fishing - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in any aspect of agriculture or fishing. (excluding retail of the final product).
  • Mining (Non-Energy) - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in the mining and refinement of any raw materials not used in energy production.
  • Supply Chain - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in the transportation of raw materials, manufactured products, and other cargo by land, sea, or air.
  • Publishing - An attack directed at individuals or organisations involved in any aspect of commissioning, editing, producing, and publishing printed matter such as books, magazines, etc. Excludes news journalism, which is classed as Civil Society > News Media .
  • Other/Unknown - An attack directed at an unspecified or unclassifiable commercial or industrial target.
Random or Indiscriminate Random or Indiscriminate - As per sector definition.
Other/Unknown Other/Unknown - as per sector definition

Target Object

What assets from the selected Target Sub-Sector were impacted by the attack, e.g. people, vehicles, buildings etc.

Target Nation

The nationalities of the Target Objects that were impacted

NSAG (non-state armed group) Statement

  • Threat - The statement contained a threat to carry out an attack.
  • Claim - The statement contained a claim or acknowledgement of responsibility for an attack or other militant operation.
  • Denial - The statement contained a denial of responsibility for an attack or other militant operation.
  • Legal - The statement was made by a suspected militant during a trial or other judicial proceeding, or in reference to such a proceeding.
  • Hostage - The statement contained information about a hostage, or communicated a demand for their release.
  • Strategic - The statement contained details of an individual or group's aims and objectives, and/or how they intend to achieve these objectives.
  • Tactical - The statement contained information useful in the preparation of an attack, or the waging of a campaign, e.g. bomb making instructions, military field manuals, target lists, etc.
  • Organisational - The statement contained information about the status of a group or its members.
  • Ideological - The statement contained explorations of ideology.
  • Other/Unknown - The statement's content was unspecified or unclassifiable.

NSAG (non-state armed group) Medium

  • Online Statement - A written statement published online.
  • Online Document - An extended written publication published online.
  • Online Audio - An audio recording published online.
  • Online Video - A video recording published online.
  • Public Statement - A statement made live to an audience.
  • Printed Hardcopy - A written or printed statement or publication in physical form.
  • Audio Hardcopy - An audio recording distributed in a physical format, e.g. CD.
  • Video Hardcopy - A video production distributed in a physical format, e.g. DVD.
  • Media Interview - An interview given with any conventional news organisation.
  • Other/Unknown - The medium of the statement was unknown or unclassifiable. This option should be used whenever the medium of the statement is not explicitly identified.

NSAG (non-state armed group) Action Type

  • Political - Any action taken by militants to participate within the constitutional process (such as forming a political party), or any bilateral negotiation or agreement with the government (including ceasefires and peace agreements).
  • Shadow Political - Any action taken by militants to establish or maintain a parallel governance structure within an area of territorial control, or any negotiation or agreement with other sub-state groups or bodies (e.g. tribal elders or other militant groups).
  • Shadow Judicial - Any action taken by militants to establish courts, or other pseudo legal or judicial bodies, for the purpose of arbitrating disputes, or sentencing those whose behaviour is deemed criminal.
  • Logistics - Any action taken by militants to procure weapons, vehicles or other equipment; to store such items; or to deploy them.
  • Commercial - Any action taken by militants to engage in legitimate business activities, typically for the purpose of raising funds, but also to provide cover for other activities.
  • Criminal Action - A purely criminal action carried out by militants who are otherwise ostensibly politically-motivated - typically for financing purposes, e.g. extortion, robbery, trafficking, etc.
  • Intimidation - Any action which involves intimidating an individual or community (such as a village, or employees of a company), through harassment, threats, etc - but which falls short of the level of violence that would qualify as an NSAG Attack .
  • Direct Action - Any action intended to disrupt or obstruct the conduct of normal business, or any other process, but which falls short of the level of violence that would qualify as an NSAG Attack.
  • Hoax Attack - Any action which causes disruption by leading others to believe that an attack is imminent, when no such attack is intended.
  • Demonstration/Strike - Any action involving a major instance of civil unrest, including mass protests and acts of civil disobedience, which remains non-violent and therefore does not qualify as NSAG Attack > Riot.
  • Hostage Release - Any action involving the voluntary release of hostages (as opposed to during a counter-terrorism operation), typically — but not necessarily — in return for some concession.
  • Prisoner Escape - Any action involving militant prisoners escaping from detention under their own initiative, as opposed to being freed during an attack mounted by militants from outside the prison.
  • Recruitment - Any action which involves the recruitment of others into a militant group - either voluntarily or through coercion.
  • Defection/Surrender - Any action which involves members of a group (but not the group as a whole) surrendering to the authorities, defecting to another militant group, forming a splinter group, or publicly renouncing their group.
  • Retreat - Any action which involves conceding territory or withdrawing from a position while not under fire (i.e. not during an active counter-terrorism operation).
  • Disarmament/Demobilisation - Any action which involves a group formally decommissioning arms, demobilising forces, or otherwise surrendering its capabilities.
  • Other/Unknown - The militant action was unspecified or unclassifiable.

Counter Terrorism [back to top]

Click on the links below to access the full definitions.

Counter Terrorism Operation Type

  • Interdiction - An event in which routine anti-terrorism measures result in the interception of militants or their assets, e.g. as a result of customs checks, routine stop-and-search (including coastguard), etc.
  • Cordon and Search - An operation involving a temporary, non-routine, heightening of security measures in a particular location - typically involving the systematic searching of persons and/or property - with the aim of uncovering militant personnel/assets.
  • Covert - An operation, typically carried out by intelligence assets or special forces, which seeks to achieve its objective covertly, i.e. both exfiltration as well as infiltration is achieved in secret.
  • Raid - An operation - typically intelligence-led - targeting a specific individual or location, which does not involve an armed engagement.
  • Assault - An operation - typically intelligence-led - targeting a specific individual or location, which involves a close quarters armed engagement.
  • Engagement - A close-quarters encounter between two armed forces manoeuvring in the same environment (i.e. between land forces, between aircraft, or between ships), where the CT force initiated the engagement.
  • Strike - An operation involving the use of a stand-off weapon to carry out a ranged attack on a target, e.g. the use of cruise missiles, airstrikes, artillery, etc.
  • Disruption - An operation involving tactics - other than Cordon and Search - intended to disrupt the operational, logistical, communications or other capabilities of a militant group - or its supporters - rather than to kill or capture its personnel, or seize/destroy its assets.
  • Other/Unknown - The operation type was unspecified or unclassifiable

Counter Terrorism Operational Environment

  • Urban - The target was in a built-up area at the time of the operation, i.e. cities, towns and other large settlements. Includes targets travelling on a river passing through such an area.
  • Rural - The target was in a rural or wilderness area at the time of the operation. Includes targets travelling on a river passing through such an area.
  • Maritime - The target was at sea or on a large inland water body at the time of the operation.
  • Air - The target was airborne at the time of the operation.
  • Virtual - The target was a virtual entity, existing only on the internet or other computer network (e.g. a website or database).

Counter Terrorism Force

  • Police/Intelligence - The operation involved civilian police or intelligence officers from the country in which the incident took place.
  • Domestic Military - The operation involved military forces from the country in which the incident took place.
  • Foreign Security Forces - The operation involved police, intelligence or military forces from a country other than the one in which the incident took place. Includes peacekeepers.
  • Paramilitary - The operation involved civilian security contractors formally employed by the state in a security role, alongside its regular security forces, e.g. private security companies, mercenary units, etc.
  • Militia - The operation involved a state-sponsored civilian militia, or people's defence force (not including militant groups which happen to be aligned with the state, but remain independent of it).
  • Other/Unknown - The operation involved forces that were unspecified or unclassifiable.

Arms Seized / Destroyed

  • Nothing Reported - The operation was not reported to have recovered or destroyed any materials.
  • Personal Small-Arms - The operation recovered or destroyed small-arms - such as handguns and assault rifles - consistent with the personal use of those detained.
  • Weapons Cache - The operation recovered or destroyed small-arms of a quantity inconsistent with the personal use of those detained; and/or any quantity of explosives; and/or any heavy or sophisticated weaponry.
  • Precursor Materials - The operation recovered or destroyed materials that are not weapons in themselves, but which can be assembled to form weapons, e.g. ingredients and components for the manufacture of explosives or toxic substances .
  • Hostages - The operation recovered people — either dead or alive — that had been kidnapped or were being held hostage by the militants.
  • Funds/Assets - The operation recovered or destroyed funds, or other assets that may readily serve as a substitute for cash funds such as narcotics, diamonds, etc.
  • Equipment - The operation recovered or destroyed equipment likely to be of use in the conduct or preparation of an attack, such as uniforms; binoculars and night-vision gear; field radios, satellite phones and other communications equipment; etc.
  • Vehicles - The operation recovered or destroyed land, sea or air vehicles.
  • Other/Unknown - The operation recovered or destroyed materiel that was unspecified or unclassifiable.

Counter Terrorism Assets

  • Ground - The operation involved ground forces in an offensive capacity.
  • Maritime - The operation involved ships, submarines, or other manned maritime craft in an offensive capacity.
  • Air - The operation involved airplanes, helicopters, or other manned aircraft in an offensive capacity.
  • Cyber - The operation involved the use of computer-based capabilities in an offensive capacity.
  • UAV - The operation involved the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, in an offensive capacity.
  • UMV - The operation involved the use of unmanned maritime vehicles (UMVs) in an offensive capacity.
  • Other/Unknown - The operation involved CT assets that were unspecified or unclassifiable.

Counter Terrorism Statement Type

  • Intelligence - The statement contained information useful in assessing the capabilities and intentions of militant actors.
  • Briefing - The statement contained information about the progress of a counter-terrorism operation or campaign, or an update on an ongoing situation (e.g. hostage negotiations).
  • Policy - The statement contained information regarding counter-terrorism policy or strategy.
  • Anti-terrorism - The statement contained details of specific anti-terrorism measures being implemented or amended - i.e. defensive measures taken to create a more restrictive operating environment and help prevent attacks occurring.
  • Legislation - The statement contained details of new terrorism legislation, or changes to existing legislation.
  • Diplomatic - The statement contained details of talks, agreements, or disputes between nations relating to terrorism and counter-terrorism.
  • Designation - The statement announced the formal designation of a group or individual as a terrorist entity.
  • Judicial Proceeding - The statement contained information relating to the ongoing progress of a trial or other judicial proceeding, such as claims made by the defence or prosecution, or the testimony of witnesses, etc.
  • Other/Unknown - The content of the statement was unknown or unclassifiable.

Formal Charges

The number of individuals charged in the judicial incident being recorded

Suspects Convicted

The number of individuals convicted in the incident being recorded.

Suspects Acquitted

The number of individuals acquitted in the incident being recorded.

Suspects Extradited

The number of individuals extradited in the incident being recorded

Successful Appeals

The number of individuals who successfully appealed a conviction in the judicial incident being recorded.

Other Restraining Orders

The number of individuals who were subjected to travel embargoes, house arrest, or other forms of control order, in the judicial incident being recorded.