Three pipe bomb attacks and a gun attack on police in Belfast last night is being linked to the loyalist feud.
Shots were fired at police on patrol in Manor Street at around 12.45 a.m. Following a search of the area, a blank handgun and ammunition were found.
On the Shankill Road, a controlled explosion was performed on a pipe bomb discovered outside a social club at about 9 p.m.
Later, two devices exploded outside bars in the north of the city. One exploded in an alley by McKenna's Bar on the Upper Crumlin Road. Shrapnel was blown across the road following the explosion.
Another pipe bomb was thrown at a bar on the Cavehill Road. A woman was treated for shock after part of the bomb smashed the window of her home.
Police say both devices were capable of causing serious injury and possibly death. There were no reports of injuries.
The attacks follow claims from within loyalism that supporters of jailed paramilitary commander Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair are behind the resurgent feud.
Ulster Defence Association chiefs who expelled Adair from the organisation have accused his allies of wrecking three cars belonging to veteran loyalists who were forced to leave Adair's Lower Shankill stronghold after the deadly feud re-erupted last year.
One loyalist source said: "This is a small element who think they can do Johnny a favour by continuing this fight as if he wasn't responsible in the first place.
"But the organisation isn't going to tolerate this for much longer."
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy earlier this month ordered Adair to be returned to prison.
With two men shot dead since the notorious UDA C Company leader split from the terror grouping's five other so-called brigadiers, Mr Murphy said he posed too big a danger to remain free.
Lawyers for Adair have launched a High Court challenge in a bid to have the decision overturned. Following his arrest both sides had appeared to be stepping back from the bloody confrontation.
But furious UDA chiefs have now issued an ultimatum to those they said were intent on stoking up tensions again.
"While negotiations are taking place to get this entire saga resolved someone is carrying this on," one senior loyalist said.
PA