UDK (Ulster Defence Association)

The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) is a protestant paramilitary organization originating in Northern Ireland. Established in the 1970s, it primarily aimed to defend Protestant communities and oppose Irish republican groups seeking unification of Ireland. The UDA has been involved in various violent acts and criminal activities, often linked to the Troubles—an increasingly violent conflict from the late 1960s to the late 1990s. Although it declared a ceasefire and moved towards peace processes, the group has a controversial legacy due to its history of violence and influence within Northern Ireland’s complex political and sectarian landscape.