The Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) is a paramilitary organization formed in Ireland as a splinter group from the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) in 1986. The group aims to establish a united Ireland through the use of armed struggle and violence.
The Continuity IRA emerged as a result of political disagreements within the larger IRA about the acceptance of the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement. The group rejected the agreement, viewing it as a betrayal of republican ideals, and remained dedicated to the goal of achieving a fully independent and united Ireland through armed resistance.
The CIRA's activities have been characterized by sporadic but violent attacks, primarily targeting security forces, British military installations, and symbolic British targets. These attacks have included bombings, shootings, and occasionally, assassinations. The group has been responsible for a number of casualties throughout its existence, but its overall capacity and support base have remained relatively limited compared to other IRA factions.
The organization has faced considerable pressure from both the British and Irish governments, as well as from other republican groups, who have condemned their violent tactics. The CIRA operates primarily in Northern Ireland and bordering areas of the Republic of Ireland, situated in counties such as Armagh, Tyrone, and Fermanagh.
It is important to note that the Continuity IRA continues to be considered a proscribed terrorist organization by the governments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, as well as by international bodies such as the European Union and the United Nations.
