Irish Republican Army
(缩略词:IRA)
- the military arm of Sinn Fein, aiming for union between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland爱尔兰共和军(新芬党的军队, 旨在实现北爱尔兰和爱尔兰共和国的统一)。
The IRA was formed during the struggle for independence from Britain in 1916-21; in 1969 it split into Official and Provisional wings. The Official IRA became virtually inactive, while the Provisional IRA stepped up the level of violence against military and civilian targets in Northern Ireland, Britain, and Europe. The IRA declared a ceasefire in 1994 and another in 1997.