Red Hand Commandos

The Red Hand Commandos are an extremist terrorist group in Northern Ireland. In the political spectrum of Northern Ireland, they are unionists. The group is composed largely of Protestant hardliners from loyalist groups. They seek to prevent a political settlement with Irish nationalists by attacking Catholic civilian interests in Northern Ireland.

Activities

The group has carried out numerous pipe bombing and arson attacks against "soft" civilian targets such as homes, churches, and private businesses to cause outrage in the republican community and to provoke retaliation from the Provisional IRA . The group has claimed responsibility for the car bombing murder on 15 March, 1999 of Rosemary Nelson, a prominent Catholic lawyer and human rights campaigner in Northern Ireland.

Strength

The government of the United States believes that the commandoes have up to 20 members, some of whom have considerable experience in terrorist tactics and bomb-making.