Sweden has lowered its terror threat level from the highest level, which had been in place following a series of provocative Quran-burning incidents.
The National Center for Terror Threat Assessment concluded that the situation now allows for a reduction in the threat level from the highest, Level 5, down to Level 4.
Notably, throughout 2024, Sweden has been mentioned less frequently in propaganda materials that could incite Islamist attacks. This marks a shift from 2023, when a series of Quran-burning protests sparked widespread outrage in the Muslim world and led to media campaigns portraying Sweden as “anti-Islamic.”
“There have been no terrorist attacks in Sweden. Additionally, the Center has observed that in 2024, Sweden is no longer portrayed in propaganda as a ‘priority target’ but is instead seen as a ‘legitimate target’ for Islamist terrorist organizations, similar to other Western states,” commented Gabriel Wernstedt, a spokesperson for the Swedish Security Service.
The war between Israel and Hamas has also contributed to diverting Islamist attention away from Sweden.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Center warns that potential threats still remain, particularly from individuals with Islamist or far-right extremist views. There is also the possibility that external actors, such as Russia or China, could orchestrate events that might be classified as terrorist crimes.
