Hunting the watchmen the Ulster Defence Regiment and IRA strategy

Chesse, Daniel 2024. Hunting the watchmen the Ulster Defence Regiment and IRA strategy. Small Wars and Insurgencies 35 (4) , pp. 545-572. 10.1080/09592318.2024.2319671 Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

The Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) were unique within the context of the Troubles-79% of their nearly 200 UDR casualties came while off-duty. This article frames these attacks, assesses their impact and concludes whether certain individuals (such as Catholics) were specifically targeted. I demonstrate that such tactics were ruthless pragmatism and were influenced by regionality. The IRA focused on eliminating security forces, although some pursued personal vendettas. I forward that overall, the IRA consistently demonstrated a concept of target legitimacy – ‘legitimacy frameworks’. I conclude that these practices are not only common, but should be anticipated in counterinsurgencies.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Cardiff Law & Politics
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	0959-2318
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	8 March 2024
Date of Acceptance:	13 February 2024
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2024 09:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/167028

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