International Terrorism

International terrorism refers to organized acts of violence that transcend national borders and target other states, populations, or international actors with political objectives. This term encompasses a form of violence typically carried out by non-state actors, though it can also occur in state-supported forms. The concept of terrorism etymologically derives from the Latin verb terrere (to frighten, to instill terror) and historically signifies systematic violence intended to intimidate individuals or societies.

Within this framework, international terrorism is characterized not only by cross-border attacks conducted by terrorist groups but also by the operation of their ideological, financial, and logistical support networks across different countries. This type of terrorism distinguishes itself from classical warfare and internal rebellion by targeting civilian populations and aiming to communicate a political message.

Historical Background and Evolution

Although the phenomenon of terrorism extends back to ancient times, international terrorism gained significant prominence from the second half of the 20th century onward. During the Cold War, certain states indirectly supported terrorist organizations within the context of ideological polarization. With the end of the Cold War, these support systems slipped out of state control, enabling terrorist groups to operate more independently and on a global scale.

From the 1990s onward, the nature and targets of terrorist attacks changed, with large-scale assaults on civilian areas with high population density becoming more prominent. Although the number of terrorist attacks has declined, their destructive impact and casualty rates have increased dramatically.

The Modern Face of International Terrorism

Today, the structure of international terrorism has become more complex under the influence of digitalization and globalization. Social media and advanced communication technologies are now actively used by terrorist organizations for propaganda, recruitment, organization, and operational planning.

Terrorist groups such as ISIS and the YPG have actively employed these tools in the Syrian context to gain international visibility and expand their transnational reach. This digital transformation has not only affected terrorist organizations but has also reshaped the methods of states and security institutions. The increasing use of technological tools in counter-terrorism has generated debates concerning the protection of individual rights and freedoms.

The Role of International Law and the United Nations

In combating international terrorism, the United Nations (UN) operates in two key areas: first, establishing an international normative framework to define terrorism; and second, fostering cooperation among states in counter-terrorism efforts.

However, a universal definition of terrorism has not yet been agreed upon within the UN. This lack of consensus complicates the creation of a common legal foundation for counter-terrorism. While UN Security Council resolutions such as Resolution 1267 designate specific groups as terrorist entities, political influences and conflicting national interests often play decisive roles in these processes. The UN emphasizes that counter-terrorism efforts must be conducted in accordance with respect for human rights and opposes practices such as extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detentions, and torture.

Conflicting Approaches and Definitional Challenges

There is no international consensus on the definition or