The acronym IRA, which stands for Irish Republican Army, has several synonyms that can be used to refer to the organization. Some of these synonyms include Provisional IRA, Real IRA, Continuity IRA, and Irish National Liberation Army (INLA). The Provisional IRA was formed in the 1970s and was the main paramilitary group committed to securing a united Ireland through violence. The Real IRA split from the Provisional IRA in 1997 after a ceasefire was declared, with members wanting to continue to use violence to achieve their goals. The Continuity IRA and INLA were also formed in the same vein as the IRA. Despite the various names, all of these groups have been involved in acts of terrorism in Northern Ireland and the UK.