Editing Red Hand Defenders (section)

==Ideology and ''modus operandi''==
The Red Hand Defenders use violence toward the goal of maintaining British control in Northern Ireland.<ref name="cdi.org"/> Like other loyalist groups, the RHD is an adversary of [[Irish nationalists]] who seek to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and create a [[united Ireland]].<ref name="cdi.org"/> In essence, (mostly) [[Irish Catholic]] nationalists aspire to be part of the [[Republic of Ireland]], while (mostly) [[Protestant]] unionists wish to remain united with [[Great Britain]].<ref name="washingtonpost.com">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/nireland/stories/bomb031699.htm] 1999-03-16</ref> The resulting long-term conflict in Northern Ireland was often referred to as "[[the Troubles]]".<ref name="cdi.org"/> However, unlike the two biggest loyalist paramilitary groups—the Ulster Defence Association and [[Ulster Volunteer Force]]—the group fully opposes the [[Northern Ireland peace process|peace process]] and peace agreements, including the Good Friday Agreement.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/>

Their tactics include shootings, bombings and arson, with victims usually being Catholic civilians.<ref name="cdi.org"/> The religious emphasis has exacerbated the underlying political problems.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/nireland/stories/bomb031699.htm   ] 1999-03-16</ref> The group's civilian targets have included Catholic schools and Catholic postal workers.  The weapons used by RHD members include pipe bombs, handguns and grenades.<ref name="cain.ulst.ac.uk"/> The group does not appear to receive aid from outside the UK.<ref name="state.gov"/>