Steep rise in number of Islamic militant groups since 2010, new study finds

A new report released by Rand Corp has revealed that Islamic militant groups in the world have been increasing in number since 2010.

Report author Seth Jones said that based on terror threats, the US cannot withdraw or remain disengaged from key parts of North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

According to the Washington Times, the report concluded that there has been nearly a 60 per cent increase in the number of Islamic radical groups over the last four years, and a 300 percent jump in the number of attacks perpetrated by al Qaeda and its affiliated groups.

The report added that the survey was condemned by critics as many of the attacks mentioned by the author were found to be 'regionally focused'.

However, Jones opposed the criticism and said that the ideology shared by these Islamic radical groups is alive and a concrete threat to the United States.