Tensions between the mainstream Ulster Defence Association leadership and those loyal to two brothers expelled from the organisation flared into a number of violent incidents at the weekend.
An anxious stand-off was continuing last night between the UDA's ruling inner council and scores of north Belfast loyalists who are maintaining support for Andre (29) and Ihab Shoukri (32), even though they were last month expelled from the paramilitary organisation.
A crowd of up to 800 loyalists attended a rally in the Shankill area of Belfast on Saturday in support of the UDA leadership, who earlier last week installed a new leadership in north Belfast to replace the Shoukri brothers, both of whom are in prison.
It was also claimed that an attempt was made to murder the brothers in Maghaberry Prison. The Irish News reported that a caller using a recognised code word said an attempt was made to kill the Shoukris by poisoning their food on Thursday and there would be other attempts on the brothers' lives.
On Friday, the UDA said its organisation in north Belfast had installed an interim "brigade staff" to replace the Shoukris in the area, and called on all north Belfast UDA members to support this decision. This triggered a chain of incidents that raised fears of yet another bloody internecine loyalist feud.
Guns, ammunition and petrol bombs were seized by police on Friday. Two men were arrested and one man later charged following searches in the Tynedale district.
Police were also investigating reports that shots were fired during subsequent trouble.
Also on Friday, UDA members loyal to the Shoukris were reported to have assaulted several UDA members in the Ballysillan area of north Belfast who had decided to accept the ruling of the leadership.
On Saturday evening, the UDA mainstream leadership organised the rally in the Shankill area as a demonstration of strength against those loyal to the Shoukris and their supporters. A statement was read out at the demonstration stating that it would not allow "criminals" deter the organisation from creating lasting peace for loyalist communities.
"There were members who used their position to achieve personal gain and fortune, especially through drug trafficking and drug sales. This has resulted in those ex-loyalists attempting to protect their fiefdoms by whatever means available to them," it said.
"The organisation will not stand by and allow its community and its members to be attacked after 35 years of conflict with the Provisional IRA and republicans. We have fought the IRA, the RUC and our own army. If need be we will fight drug dealers," added the leadership statement.
Shourki supporters, in turn, retorted that all elements of the UDA are engaged in various forms of criminality, including drugs dealing.
How this dispute unfolds could also have serious political implications. The UDA is run by an inner council of six so-called brigadiers. The effective overall leader is Jackie McDonald, brigadier in south Belfast.
The British and Irish governments believe there is dialogue taking place within the UDA over whether it should follow the example of the IRA and decommission and cease activity.
There is concern. however. that this potential for a major initiative from the UDA leadership could be scuttled were this dispute to escalate into yet another murderous loyalist feud.
