In the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks, a surprising alliance has emerged between dissident republicans in Northern Ireland and an anti-facist group with links to those responsible for the attacks. The unlikely partnership is causing concern among authorities on both sides of the Irish Sea, as it highlights the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups and their ability to form unexpected alliances. In this article, we take a closer look at the recent developments and the potential implications for security and stability in the region.
Members of French anti-fascist group Action Antifasciste Paris-Banlieue (AAPB) travelled to Northern Ireland to participate in Easter commemorations, organised by Saoradh, the political wing of the New IRA. AAPB had representatives speak at both the Belfast and Derry events, with a small group of AAPB members participating in the parade in Belfast. However, the Parades Commission was not notified of the Derry event, making it an illegal gathering. Despite organisers claiming they planned to have a “dignified” event, young rioters threw petrol bombs and other missiles at a parked police vehicle on the parade route, causing the PSNI to withdraw from the area for the remainder of the one-hour-long event. Large plastic bins were set on fire, and several pipe bombs were found in the cemetery following the event. AAPB hoped the visit to Northern Ireland would help to build up “international networks of solidarity”. Some of the French group’s members have been involved in violent clashes with far-right groups in France in recent years. AAPB’s Twitter account was suspended in 2020, but was later reactivated.
The participation of AAPB in Easter commemorations in Northern Ireland is significant due to the French group’s reputation as an organised, violent anti-fascist movement. AAPB’s involvement in public protests across France and their participation in counter-demonstrations at far-right rallies has occasionally turned violent. Similarly, far-left groups in Ireland have often been involved in violent clashes with loyalist and unionist groups. AAPB represents a small group of around 30 anti-fascists, and while their visit to Ireland was likely to have been intended as a show of solidarity with the wider leftist movement in Europe, the group’s involvement in a controversial commemoration event in Northern Ireland highlights the need for security agencies to monitor the movements of extremist groups with international links.
The involvement of AAPB in such events can provide a platform for extremist groups to co-opt anti-fascist movements in various countries. Saoradh’s invitation to AAPB and the latter’s acceptance can be seen as a way for Saoradh to gain EU-wide support from far-left groups. AAPB would likely have been drawn to the event as part of their internationalist agenda, seeking to forge alliances with other leftist organisations across Europe. However, their involvement in Ireland, where the environment is heavily politicised and replete with sectarian violence, represents a possible attempt by European far-left extremists to “cash in” on the Irish dissident republican movement. This reflects a wider trend within extremist political movements, where groups often seek to piggyback on the narratives and symbols of other well-established and more successful extremist movements in different countries.
In the future, it is vital that the actions of groups such as AAPB and their involvement with international events are monitored closely by intelligence agencies. Europe contains scores of far-left and far-right extremist groups, often with membership and organisational links that extend across the continent. The French government’s approach to confrontational far-left groups like AAPB has been heavy-handed, with bans on protests and controversial pre-emptive arrests. But while states must be cautious not to heavy-handedly restrict civil liberties, the potential for far-left and far-right groups to exploit disaffection and anxiety around issues like economic inequality cannot be ignored. Events like the Northern Ireland commemorations risk allowing divisive and often violent groups to overshadow the legitimate demands of social justice movements, and present another challenge for security services seeking to maintain order and prevent terrorist attacks.
