NAME: Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) a.k.a. Continuity Army Council
DATE STARTED/FIRST ACTIVE: 1994.
GOALS: The reunification of Ireland and to forcing British troops from Northern Ireland.
MAIN ANTI-U.S. ACTIVITIES TO DATE: None.
STRENGTH: Fewer than 50 hard-core activists.
OPERATIONAL LOCATIONS: Northern Ireland, Irish Republic.
AFFILIATIONS: Suspected of receiving funds and arms from sympathizers in the United States. May have acquired arms and materiel from the Balkans in cooperation with the Real IRA.
COMMENTS: A radical terrorist splinter group formed as the clandestine armed wing of the political organization Republican Sinn Fein (RSF). RSF formed after the Irish Republican Army announced a cease-fire in September 1994. Targets include British military and Northern Ireland security targets and Northern Ireland Loyalist paramilitary groups. Also has launched bomb attacks against civilian targets in Northern Ireland. Does not have an established presence or capability to launch attacks on the U.K. mainland. NOT a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), but listed as "active" during 2000.
DATE STARTED/FIRST ACTIVE: 1994.
GOALS: The reunification of Ireland and to forcing British troops from Northern Ireland.
MAIN ANTI-U.S. ACTIVITIES TO DATE: None.
STRENGTH: Fewer than 50 hard-core activists.
OPERATIONAL LOCATIONS: Northern Ireland, Irish Republic.
AFFILIATIONS: Suspected of receiving funds and arms from sympathizers in the United States. May have acquired arms and materiel from the Balkans in cooperation with the Real IRA.
COMMENTS: A radical terrorist splinter group formed as the clandestine armed wing of the political organization Republican Sinn Fein (RSF). RSF formed after the Irish Republican Army announced a cease-fire in September 1994. Targets include British military and Northern Ireland security targets and Northern Ireland Loyalist paramilitary groups. Also has launched bomb attacks against civilian targets in Northern Ireland. Does not have an established presence or capability to launch attacks on the U.K. mainland. NOT a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), but listed as "active" during 2000.