Key statistics

1998
First Recorded Activity

First Attack

Profile Last Updated

How to Cite

Crenshaw, M., & Robinson, K. (2025). Mapping Militants Project. Rice University. https://doi.org/10.25613/G0K4-WF70
Mapping Militants Project. “Red Hand Defenders.” Last modified . https://mappingmilitants.org/node/503/

Profile Contents

Narrative

Narrative of the Organization's History

Organization

Leadership, Name Changes, Size Estimates, Resources, Geographic Locations

Strategy

Ideology, Aims, Political Activities, Targets, and Tactics

Interactions

Foreign Designations and Listings, Community Relations, Relations with Other Groups, State Sponsors and External Influences

Maps

Mapping relationships with other militant groups over time in regional maps

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Overview
Formed: 
January 1, 1998

The Red Hand Defenders (RHD) is a Loyalist paramilitary group. There is speculation that RHD has also been used as a cover name for members of other terrorist organizations in Northern Ireland, namely the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) and the Ulster Defense Association (UDA). It is not clear to what extent the name RHD represented a distinct organization at different points in time. The RHD has conducted attacks using pipe bombs, grenades and hand guns against Catholic families located Northern Ireland and continues to fight for a continued British Rule.

Organization

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Strategy

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Interactions

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