The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) is a loyalist paramilitary organization dedicated to maintaining Northern Ireland's ties with the United Kingdom. Loyalist organizations in Northern Ireland oppose the unification of the six counties of Northern Ireland with the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland. <p><br />The UVF, as it exists today, was formed in 1966 to combat the threat of republican paramilitary organizations such as the Irish Republican Army (IRA). However, their inception was rooted in a unionist militia formed by Edward Carson during the early 1910s and 1920s whose name and symbols were appropriated in 1966.  This original organization sought to prevent the creation of an autonomous Ireland and therefore was dedicated to maintaining Ireland's ties with the United Kingdom.  The original UVF was disbanded shortly after the creation of the Republic of Ireland. <p><br />Throughout its history, the UVF has conducted a multitude of operations, including: bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and hijackings. These attacks usually targeted Catholic civilians, republican paramilitaries, and rival loyalists, all of whom were located in Northern Ireland. However, beginning in the 1970s, the UVF expanded its terrorist bombing campaign to include Catholic civilian targets in the Republic of Ireland, often in retaliation for attacks by the IRA or other republican groups. A particularly violent group of UVF members, named the Shankill Butchers, is thought to be personally responsible for the kidnap, torture, and murder of over 30 Catholic civilians in Northern Ireland. <p><br />In October 1994, as part of the Combined Loyalist Military Command, the UVF declared a ceasefire in response to the IRA's ceasefire, However, numerous members were opposed to the ceasefire and participation in the peace process, which led to their separation from the UVF to form splinter groups such as the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF).  It is also possible that former UVF members remained active through the use of cover names like the South Londonderry Volunteers. <p><br />The UVF has been consistently challenged by rival groups like the LVF and the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), where years of fighting has only recently tapered off.  In addition to instability caused by fighting with these groups, the UVF has been weakened by internal feuding, the use of police informants within the group, and the arrests of leading members. The group has also become heavily involved in organized crime and drug trafficking, resulting in waning public support.<br /><br />