Continuity IRA

The Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA), also known as the Continuity Army Council, is a radical terrorist splinter group formed in 1994 as the clandestine armed wing of Republican Sinn Féin (RSF), a political organization dedicated to the reunification of Ireland. The goals of the organization are to make Northern Ireland a part of the Republic of Ireland. RSF formed after the Irish Republican Army announced a cease-fire in September of 1994.

Table of contents

1 Activities 2 Strength 3 External Aid

Activities

The group has carried out numerous terrorist attacks, including bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, extortion, and robberies. Targets include British military and Northern Irish security targets and Northern Irish Loyalist paramilitary groups. It has also launched bomb attacks against predominantly Protestant towns in Northern Ireland. The CIRA does not have an established presence or capability to launch attacks on the British mainland.

Strength

The U.S. government believes the organization has fewer than 50 hardcore activists.

External Aid

The U.S. also suspects the CIRA gets funds and arms from sympathizers in the United States. It may have acquired arms and materiel from the Balkans in cooperation with the "Real IRA", another splinter group.