The Provisional IRA, or the Irish Republican Army, commonly referred to as PIRA, was a paramilitary organization dedicated to the unification of Ireland and achieving independence from British rule. Founded in 1969 as a splinter group from the original IRA, the Provisional IRA operated primarily in Northern Ireland but also carried out attacks in England and mainland Europe.
This organization evolved into the dominant republican paramilitary group during the Troubles, a period of violence and conflict in Northern Ireland that lasted from the late 1960s to the late 1990s. Employing guerrilla warfare tactics, the Provisional IRA engaged in bombings, shootings, and other acts of violence to undermine British authority and advance their political objectives.
The Provisional IRA was marked by its strict hierarchical structure and clandestine nature, with members often concealed within local communities. The organization's military wing used various tactics, including bombings of public places and assassinations, to assert its influence and exert pressure on the British government.
Following decades of violence and political negotiations, in 1998, the Good Friday Agreement was established, leading to a ceasefire by the Provisional IRA. The organization eventually decommissioned its weapons and disbanded in 2005, shifting its focus to political activities. The Provisional IRA remains a significant part of Irish history, symbolizing the struggles and aspirations of certain sections of Irish society for independence and self-determination.
