Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)

The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) is a loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland, formed in 1966. It emerged during a period of conflict known as "The Troubles," which involved violent struggles between nationalist/republican groups, primarily seeking Irish unification, and unionist/loyalist groups, who wanted to remain part of the United Kingdom. The UVF's activities included armed opposition to Irish republicanism and were marked by violence, including bombings and killings. While it officially declared a ceasefire in 1994, the UVF remains a controversial part of Northern Irish history and politics, with ongoing debates about its legacy.