With highly contentious negotiations between Sinn Fein, the Ulster Unionists, and the British government intent on ending the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, it is no surprise that terrorist incidents are occurring. The Provisional IRA?s cessation of hostilities is still in place, so it is not this group that is carrying out these attacks, which include a series of fire bombings of shops and businesses. It is more likely that these attacks are being carried out by dissident Republicans opposed to the political settlement being sought by Sinn Fein that will likely include the disbandment and disarming of the IRA .

Several splinter groups have been formed since the peace process began in the 1990s, including the Continuity IRA and Real IRA . These groups have been responsible for a series of largely ineffectual operations although the Real IRA was behind the bungled 1998 Omagh bombing that killed 29 people . These latest attacks are probably part of an ongoing campaign intended to derail the peace process and ensure a continuation of the ?armed struggle? against the British and Protestants. These groups are fundamentally opposed to the current electoral approach of Sinn Fein and the P-IRA. Neither group has many members and only very limited access to the expertise and resources it needs to conduct a sustained terrorist campaign. Hence, the use of effective, but low-tech, fire bombs rather than more sophisticated devices.