Northern Ireland peace process has taken another step forward as the two main loyalist paramilitary groups have decided to destroy their arsenals. The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) announced last weekend it has decommissioned all its weapons before the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD), a move that has also been carried out by the Red Hand Commando (RHC).

The news was followed by the Ulster Defence Association's (UDA) announcement that it has just started the decommissioning process. Shaun Woodward, British Secretary for Northern Ireland Affairs, had set up the deadline for decommissioning of loyalist weaponry by August.

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) had already put its arsenal out of action in 2005, and now it was the loyalist turn to do so. Even though they had started the process, the destruction of weapons was suspended a few months ago due to the killing of two British soldiers and a Northern Ireland police officer by republican dissidents.

Activities by UVF and UDA caused more than 1,000 victims during the Northern Ireland conflict, which took place between 1968 and 1998. Overall, war between pro-British supporters and pro-independence Irish volunteers left more than 3,000 people dead.

Further information:

• The Irish Times: Widespread welcome for loyalist decommissioning
• Herald.ie: Loyalists confirm weapons decommissioned
• BBC: NI decommissioning timetable