Ulster Defence Association

The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) is a paramilitary organization from Northern Ireland, mainly composed of Protestant loyalists who aimed to maintain Northern Ireland's union with the United Kingdom. Founded in 1971, it initially positioned itself as a defensive group but became involved in violent activities during the Troubles, a period of conflict from the late 1960s to the late 1990s. The UDA sought to oppose Irish republican groups seeking unification with Ireland, and its actions included bombings, shootings, and intimidation. In recent years, the organization has claimed to move away from violence, but it is still considered a paramilitary group by authorities.