The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was a paramilitary organization that sought to end British rule in Northern Ireland and reunify Ireland. Formed in the early 20th century, the IRA was involved in various campaigns of violence and political activism, particularly during the late 1960s through the 1998 signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The IRA operated under the belief that armed struggle was necessary to achieve its goals. Over the years, it split into different factions, with the most notable being the Provisional IRA, which gained prominence during the Troubles, a period of conflict in Northern Ireland.