Afghanistan and Iraq are at the top of the list of countries impacted by terrorism in 2021 according to the Global Terrorism Index published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

According to the institute, Afghanistan was the country most affected by terror and the least peaceful country in the world.

In 2021, Afghanistan experienced 1,426 deaths from terrorism, around 20 percent of the world’s total. At least 2,199 others were wounded, and 91 cases of hostages were registered in the report.

More than half of the victims were civilians, the report said.

“In the past, unfortunately, most of world and regional countries had used such groups for the political benefits of their countries,” said Jawid Sangdil, political expert.

The report included the 2021 attack that occurred in Kabul when Daesh detonated two suicide bombs near Kabul International Airport, and 170 people were killed and over 200 were injured.

However, there is optimism among experts that insurgency attacks will decrease in Afghanistan. “The security situation in Afghanistan is getting better every day. No group will be able to create security challenges for the people of Afghanistan and they will be prevented,” said Abdul Ghafar Kamyab, a political expert affiliated with Islamic Emirate.

Iraq and Pakistan came after Afghanistan for the most terrorist attacks in 2021, following Afghanistan.