IRA group warns of war on UK
Source: Agencies |
June 7, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE new leader of one of Northern Ireland's deadliest active paramilitary groups has vowed in a newspaper interview to continue a war on British forces, including a possible attack on the British mainland.
A 1998 peace agreement largely ended three decades of violence between predominantly Catholic groups who want a united Ireland and mainly Protestant unionists who want Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK.
The main paramilitary organizations on both sides, such as the Provisional IRA, have surrendered their weapons, but militant splinter groups have stepped up attacks recently.
In March 2009 the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the murder of two British soldiers and another group, the Continuity IRA, killed a policeman.
Dissidents have attacked security forces several times since then, with the Real IRA believed to be leading much of the campaign including car bombings and shooting at police officers.
In an interview with the Sunday Times newspaper, the newly elected chairman of the Continuity IRA army council said Republican dissident groups should join forces in a continued campaign of violence against the British.
"It is the job of the CIRA to pursue war against the British," said the chairman who used the pseudonym George Flannery.
"It is our intention to attack Britain, but this depends on the opportunities that present themselves," said Flannery, whom the paper described as a middle-aged man from south of the Irish border.
Ireland's justice minister said last month dissident Republican militants posed a growing and severe threat, after police foiled what he said was a major bomb plot.
UK authorities also estimate the threat as severe, though analysts question whether the groups have the resources to launch an attack on the British mainland.
A 1998 peace agreement largely ended three decades of violence between predominantly Catholic groups who want a united Ireland and mainly Protestant unionists who want Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK.
The main paramilitary organizations on both sides, such as the Provisional IRA, have surrendered their weapons, but militant splinter groups have stepped up attacks recently.
In March 2009 the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the murder of two British soldiers and another group, the Continuity IRA, killed a policeman.
Dissidents have attacked security forces several times since then, with the Real IRA believed to be leading much of the campaign including car bombings and shooting at police officers.
In an interview with the Sunday Times newspaper, the newly elected chairman of the Continuity IRA army council said Republican dissident groups should join forces in a continued campaign of violence against the British.
"It is the job of the CIRA to pursue war against the British," said the chairman who used the pseudonym George Flannery.
"It is our intention to attack Britain, but this depends on the opportunities that present themselves," said Flannery, whom the paper described as a middle-aged man from south of the Irish border.
Ireland's justice minister said last month dissident Republican militants posed a growing and severe threat, after police foiled what he said was a major bomb plot.
UK authorities also estimate the threat as severe, though analysts question whether the groups have the resources to launch an attack on the British mainland.
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