Nationalist Terrorism: Understanding the Tactics and Ideologies of Militant Nationalism

By Fouad Sabry

What is Nationalist Terrorism

Ultranationalist terrorism is a form of terrorism motivated by ultranationalism. Ultranationalist terrorists seek to form self-determination in some form, which may take the form of gaining greater autonomy, establishing a completely independent sovereign state (separatism), or joining another existing sovereign state with which the nationalists identify (irredentism). Ultranationalist terrorists often oppose what they consider to be occupying, imperial, or otherwise illegitimate powers.

How you will benefit

(I) Insights, and validations about the following topics:

Chapter 1: Nationalist terrorism

Chapter 2: The Troubles

Chapter 3: Loyalist Volunteer Force

Chapter 4: Ulster Volunteer Force

Chapter 5: Ulster Defence Association

Chapter 6: Red Hand Defenders

Chapter 7: Independent International Commission on Decommissioning

Chapter 8: Northern Ireland peace process

Chapter 9: Armalite and ballot box strategy

Chapter 10: Irish Republican Army

(II) Answering the public top questions about nationalist terrorism.

Who this book is for

Professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those who want to go beyond basic knowledge or information for any kind of Nationalist Terrorism.

• Language: English
• Publisher: One Billion Knowledgeable
• Release date: May 27, 2024

Book preview

Chapter 1: Nationalist terrorism

Nationalist terrorism is a type of terrorism inspired by nationalism (often ultranationalism). Nationalist terrorists desire some sort of self-determination, which may consist of attaining greater autonomy, establishing a wholly independent sovereign state (separatism), or joining an existing sovereign state with whom the nationalists identify (irredentism). Frequently, nationalist terrorists fight what they view as occupying, imperial, or otherwise illegitimate powers.

Nationalist terrorism is associated with a national, ethnic, religious, or other identifying group, as well as the perception among members of that group that they are oppressed or denied rights, particularly rights afforded to others.

As with the concept of terrorism itself, the term nationalist terrorism and its application are highly debatable. What makes an illegitimate regime and what forms of violence and war are permissible against an illegitimate state are topics of dispute. Groups labeled by some as nationalist terrorists typically identify as freedom fighters and engage in legitimate but asymmetric conflict.

Violence against immigrants in a country is a form of nationalistic terrorism. In numerous nations, nationalists view immigration as a threat to the prosperity of the local or indigenous population.

The following nationalist groups have been labeled terrorist in some circles:

Grey Wolves

Balochistan Independence Army (BLA)

Khalistani groups

ETA

EOKA

Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan (PKK)

Armenian Secret Army for Armenian Independence (ASALA)

Front de libération du Québec (FLQ)

Army of the Provisional Irish Republican (IRA)

Iranian People's Mujahedin (MKO)

Tamil Rebels (LTTE)

Ukrainian Rebel Forces (UPA)

Wawelberg Group

Lehi

Irgun

Chetniks

Ustashe

Organisation de libération de Palestine (PLO)

Front National Bolshevik (NBF)

Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK)

The designation nationalist terrorism does not exclude a group from being labeled in other ways:

Nationalist terrorism and religiously-motivated terrorism may overlap, hence Palestinian nationalist militant/terrorist organisations are also occasionally Islamic (Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad), and Zionist groups are also occasionally Jewish (Kach and Kahane Chai, Gush Emunim Underground).

Nationalist terrorism can also be associated with the left (e.g., Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, ETA, Shining Path) or the right (e.g., Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, ETA, Shining Path) (AUC, Sombra Negra)

Northern Ireland's Troubles (1968–) are characterized by the opposing nationalist claims of its two communities:

The majority Roman Catholic Irish republicans or nationalists identify as Irish and want the six counties of Northern Ireland, which are currently part of the United Kingdom, to leave the United Kingdom and join with the Republic of Ireland. Associated paramilitary forces with this philosophy include:

Irish National Republican Army (1922–1962) After the Irish War of Independence, the new IRA broke away from the old IRA, which opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which cemented the partition of Ireland. The program was largely ineffective, waned in the late 1950s, and was officially terminated in February 1962.

Official Irish Republican Army (1969–1972) Since 1972, a formal ceasefire has been in effect, except for defense acts. Up to the middle of 1973, the Official IRA continued occasional operations against British forces, killing seven British soldiers in what it dubbed retaliatory attacks. Currently inactive organization.

I.N.L.A. (1972–1998). A small Marxist outfit that separated from the Official Irish Republican Army. On 22 August 1998, the INLA called a cessation of hostilities.

(1969-2005) Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA).

It is currently in a state of truce and has destroyed the majority of its armament.

Independent Observation Commission (IMC), in its most recent report, from April 2006, It emphasizes that it has no reason to disbelieve the PIRA or information to suspect that the organization has not fully disbanded.

Rather, it indicated that any weapons not turned in had been retained by those not under the supervision of the PIRA.

It was a breakaway faction 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.

Irish Republican Army (CIRA) Continuity (1986-Present).

Also known as the Continuity Army Council and "Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish for 'Volunteers of Ireland').

There is no ceasefire.

Since 1997, Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA).

Also known as the True IRA and Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish for Volunteers of Ireland).

There is no ceasefire.

The other community is predominantly Protestant, known as unionists or loyalists, and is descended largely from Scottish and English settlers who landed in Ulster during the Plantations of Ireland. This community, which constitutes a slim majority in Northern Ireland, identifies as fundamentally British. In the past, paramilitary groups affiliated with this ideology have received covert aid from British security agencies. Numerous of their victims have been non-political Catholic civilians. These paramilitary organizations contain:

Ulster Volunteer Force (since 1966). After major loyalist riots in 2005, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said that the British government no longer acknowledged the UVF ceasefire. On 3 May 2007, the UVF condemned violence and claimed it would place its weaponry beyond reach. The Red Hand Commando is the alias of UVF.

From 1996 through 2005, the Loyalist Volunteer Force existed. The LVF declared its disbandment in October 2005, following the IRA's prior disbandment and disarming. The Independent Monitoring Commission confirms that the LVF is adhering to its paramilitary truce, is significantly involved in organized crime and drug trafficking, and is maintaining its paramilitary ceasefire.

Ulster Defense Association (UDA) (since 1971). Constituted as an umbrella organization for loyalist organizations. Legal until 1992 in the United Kingdom. Frequently used the moniker Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) while claiming responsibility for attacks. On February 22, 2003, they declared a one-year full and total suspension of all acts of violence. In February 2006, the Independent Monitoring Commission claimed that the UDA had resumed its paramilitary actions, as well as involvement in organized crime, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, extortion, and robbery. On November 11, 2007, the UDA formally renounced violence, but a commander stated that the organization would not hand over its weapons to international disarmament officials.

Red Hand Defenders (since 1998). opposes armistice.

Orange Volunteers (since 1998) The gang has been inactive since they declared a ceasefire in 2000. However, in February 2001, the group renounced the truce with a Back to War proclamation and has not been believed active since.

{End Chapter 1}

Chapter 2: The Troubles

The Troubles (Irish: Na Trioblóidí) were an ethno-nationalist Although the Troubles mostly took place in Northern Ireland, Occasionally, violence spread into regions of the Republic of Ireland, England, continental Europe.

Histories fueled the conflict's essentially political and nationalistic nature. The status of Northern Ireland was a significant concern. Unionists and loyalists, who were predominantly Ulster Protestants for historical reasons, desired Northern Ireland to remain inside the United Kingdom. Irish nationalists and republicans, who were predominantly Irish Catholics, desired that Northern Ireland leave the United Kingdom and join a unified Ireland.

Conflict began when the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association launched a campaign to abolish discrimination against the Catholic/nationalist minority by the Protestant/unionist administration and local authorities.

Principal participants in the Troubles included republican paramilitaries like the Provisional Irish