Nationalist terrorism
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Nationalist terrorism is a form of terrorism through which participants attempt to form an independent state against what they consider an occupying, imperial, or otherwise illegitimate state. "Nationalist terrorism" has also been used to describe groups attempting to create a state which upholds the rights of a group (national, ethnic, religious or other) that they consider oppressed or denied of basic rights granted to others in the state.
As with the definition of terrorism, the characterization of "nationalist terrorism" is highly contentious. Both what constitutes an illegitimate regime, and what types of violence and war are acceptable against one, are subjects of heated debate worldwide. Groups described by some as "nationalist terrorists" tend to consider themselves "freedom fighters," engaged in valid but asymmetric warfare.
Other nationalistic terrorism can include violence against immigrants in a country. Nationalists in many countries see immigration as a threat to the prosperity of the local or native population of that country.
The following are nationalist groups, which in some circles have been deemed "terrorist":
- Balochistan Liberation Army -- (BLA)
- EOKA
- Grey Wolves
- Front de Libération du Québec -- (FLQ)
- Provisional Irish Republican Army -- (IRA)
- Kosovo Liberation Army -- (KLA)
- MKO Operating against current Iranian Government
- National Liberation Front
- Palestine Liberation Organization -- (PLO)
Some nationalist groups' activities are viewed by others as Left-wing terrorism or Religious terrorism, or can be included in both categories. Examples include:
- The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine
- The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
- Euzkadi Ta Askatasuna -- (ETA)
- Hamas
- Kurdistan Workers Party -- (PKK)
- Islamic Jihad
- Irgun
- Lehi
- Fatah
[edit] Northern Ireland
The "Troubles" in Northern Ireland (1968-) is characterised by the competing nationalist claims of the two communities there. One, the mostly Roman Catholic republican or nationalist community, mainly descended from the native Irish inhabitants, identifies itself as Irish and want the six counties under British jurisdiction to leave the United Kingdom and unite with the Republic of Ireland. Paramilitary groups with this ideology include:
- Irish Republican Army (1922-62) A split from the "old" IRA that opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty that solidified the partition of Ireland following the Irish War of Independence. Largely ineffective, petered out in the late 1950s and was officially ended in February 1962.
- Official IRA (1969-72) Although formally on ceasefire, except for "defensive actions," since 1972. The Official IRA continued some attacks on British forces up to mid 1973, killing seven British soldiers in what it termed "retaliatory attacks". No longer an active organization.
- Irish National Liberation Army (1972-1998). Small Marxist group - a split from the Official IRA. The INLA declared a ceasefire on August 22, 1998.
- Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) (1969-2005). It is currently on ceasefire and has destroyed most of its weaponry. Ihe Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), in its latest report, dated April 2006, points out that it has no reason to disbelieve the PIRA or information to suspect that the group has not fully decommissioned. Rather it indicated that any weaponry that had not been handed in had been retained by individuals outside the PIRA's control. It was a splinter group of the Official IRA. Supporters of the PIRA split from Official Sinn Féin to form Provisional Sinn Féin. Provisional Sinn Féin was later known simply as Sinn Féin while 'Official' Sinn Féin eventually became the Democratic Left.
- Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) (1986-present). Also known as the "Continuity Army Council" and "Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish for 'Volunteers of Ireland'). It is not on ceasefire although the CIRA is renowned as the only currently active paramilitary group in Northern Ireland never to have caused a fatality.
- Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) (1997-present). Also known as the True IRA and Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish for Volunteers of Ireland.) It is not on ceasefire.
- Official IRA (1969-72) Although formally on ceasefire, except for "defensive actions," since 1972. The Official IRA continued some attacks on British forces up to mid 1973, killing seven British soldiers in what it termed "retaliatory attacks". No longer an active organization.
The other community, which is overwhelmingly Protestant and is known as unionist or loyalist, is largely descended from Scottish and English settlers who arrived in Ulster during the Plantations of Ireland. This community, which forms a slight majority in Northern Ireland, regards itself as British and paramilitary groups from this community describe themselves as loyalists. They have received clandestine assistance from the British security forces in the past. Most of their victims have been civilian Catholics with no political or paramilitary connections. Currently, two loyalist groups, the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Loyalist Volunteer Force, are engaged in a bloody feud with each other. Paramilitary groups include:
- Ulster Volunteer Force (1966-present). Officially on ceasefire, although the Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain announced that the British government no longer recognized the UVF ceasefire after serious loyalist rioting in 2005. The Red Hand Commando is a cover name for UVF.
- Loyalist Volunteer Force (1996-2005). The LVF announced in October 2005 that it was standing down following the IRA's previous standing down and disarmament. The Independent Monitoring Commission confirms that the LVF is keeping its paramilitary ceasefire, is heavily involved in organized crime and drug trafficking.
- Ulster Defence Association (UDA) (1971-present). Formed as an umbrella organisation of loyalist groups. Legal in the United Kingdom until 1992. Often use the name the "Ulster Freedom Fighters," or UFF. On February 22, 2003, they announced a "complete and utter cessation" of all acts of violence for one year. It said it will review its ceasefire every three months, in February 2006, the Independent Monitoring Commission reported that the UDA continued its paramilitary activities, as well as involvement in organized crime, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, extortion, money laundering and robbery
- Red Hand Defenders (1998-present). Opposes ceasefire.
- Orange Volunteers (1998-present) The group has not been active since 2000, when they declared a ceasefire. However, in February 2001, the group called off its ceasefire with a "Back to War" statement, but has not been thought to be active since then.
