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List of armed factions in the Corsican conflict

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Throughout the Corsican conflict, there were a large number of paramilitary and guerrilla organizations that formed, both to combat French rule and support it. Many of these groups had feuds with other irregular formations, and waged small conflicts between themselves, along with the French government. It is important to note that the name “National Liberation Front of Corsica” (Corsican: Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica, FLNC) is used by many Corsican nationalist formations to claim the legacy of the original FLNC, an organization that led a guerrilla war against the French from 1976 to 1988, similar to Irish Republican Army splits. This list will be divided into time periods to better organize information. This list will provide both native Corsican or French names and their English translations.

1959–1976: Pre-FLNC

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Before the FLNC formed, many armed groups were already leading small-scale insurgencies across Corsica. Many formed in protest of the pied-noirs, who were buying up the only arable land from Corsica while fleeing the Algerian war, and many regionalists were fighting for Corsican representation as a French region (Corsica was part of Provence-Alpes-Côté d’Azur until 1975).

Caption text
Name Native Name Abbreviation Dates of Operation Ideology Notes
Movement of 29 November Muvimentu di u 29 Nuvembri M29N 29 November 1959 – 27 October 1963 Communist[1] Separatist.
Committee of Action and Promotion of Corsica Cumitatu d’Azzione è Prumuzione di a Corsica CAPCO 27 October 1963-May 1967 Communist Direct descendant of the M29N, formed through a reorganization of the M29N.[2]
Corsican Committee for Independence Comitatu Corsu Per l’Indipendenza CCI 1961-1963 Far-right Separatist. Contacted Pied-Noir terrorists and signed agreements with the OAS.[2]
Corsican Union for the Future Unione Corsa - L’Avvene UC-A Late 1964-31 July 1966 Far-left[2] Regionalist.
Committee of Students for the Defense and Interests of Corsica Cumitatu di Studenti per a Difesa è Interessi di a Corsica CEDIC April 1964-31 July 1966 Right-wing[2] Regionalist.
Corsican Regionalist Front Fronte Regiunalista Corsa FRC 31 July 1966-July 1973 No specific ideology until ARC split; Left-wing from September 1967 onwards[2] Regionalist.
Corsican Regionalist Action Azzione Regiunalista Corsa ARC September 1967-July 1973 Right-wing Regionalist. Former CEDIC members who split from the FRC in September 1967 due to ideological disagreements with the former members of the UC-A.[2]
Action for the Corsican Rebirth Azzione per la Rinascita Corsa ARC July 1973-February 1976 No specific ideology Autonomist. Renaming and reorganization of the ARC; led the Aleria Standoff in August 1975.
Association of Corsican Patriots Associu di i Patriotti Corsi APC February 1976-31 July 1977 No specific ideology Renaming of the ARC to avoid police detection; dissolved to become a political party (the UPC) in 1977.[2]
Free Corsica Corsica Libera CL Late 1967/Early 1968-late 1968 No specific ideology; anti-gaullist[2] Separatist. Not to be confused with Corsica Libera (2008–present), the political wing of the FLNC-UC.
Corsican Peasant Front for Liberation Fronte Paesanu Corsu per Liberazione FPCL 15 September 1973 – 5 May 1976[3] Communist Separatist. Declared an illegal militia on 30 January 1974.[4]
Paolina Justice Ghjustizia Paolina GP 22 March 1974 – 5 May 1976 Far-Left Separatist. Named after leader of the Corsican Republic Pasquale Paoli.[4]
Justice of Sampiero Justice de Sampiero JS May 1974-6 April 1977 Far-right Anti-Separatist. Named after Sampiero Corso.[2]
Corsican Justice Ghjustizia Corsa GC November 1974-September 1975 Unknown Separatist.[2]
Justice and Liberty Justice et Liberté, Ghjustizia è Libertà JL September 1975-6 April 1977 Far-right Anti-Separatist. Largest anti-separatist organization before the formation of FRANCIA.[2]
Corsican Revolutionary Front Fronte Rivuluzionariu Corsu FRC September–October 1975 Unknown Separatist.[2]
Corsican Revolutionary Commandos Commando Rivuluzionarii Corsi CRC September–December 1975 Unknown Separatist.[2]
Corsican Anti-Italian Front Front Corse Anti-Italiens FCAI October 1975-July 1976 Far-right Anti-Separatist. Unknown if the name refers to Italians in general or if it refers to Corsicans as Italians.[2]
Morandine Justice Justice Morandine/Ghjustizia Morandina JM/GM November–December 1975 Unknown Anti-Separatist. Named after General Morand, a Napoleonic general placed in charge of suppressing revolts in Corsica in the early 1800s.[2]
Anti-Italian League Ligue Anti-Italien LAI January–February 1976 Far-right Anti-Separatist. The same naming situation as the FCAI.[2]

1976–1988: FLNC guerrilla war

[edit]

The 12-year period of large-scale FLNC activity only involved a limited number of groups due to the FLNC being a strong and uniting force. This would end with a ceasefire that broke the FLNC and an era of factionalism in the 1990s.

Caption text
Name Native Name Abbreviation/Common name Dates of Operation Ideology Notes
National Liberation Front of Corsica Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica FLNC 5 May 1976 – 17 October 1990 Far-left Separatist. Largest and most famous group in the Corsican conflict. Waged a guerrilla war for 12 years. The FLNC went on ceasefire after François Mitterand won reelection, causing anti-ceasefire activists to leave and break apart the organization.
Free France-Corsica France-Corse Libre FCL October–November 1976 Unknown Anti-Separatist.[2]
New Action Front against Independence and Autonomy Front d’Action Nouvelle Contre l’Indépendance et l’Autonomie FRANCIA 6 April 1977-Late 1983 Far-right Largest anti-separatist group in the Corsican conflict. Operated with French military support.[5]
Corsican Revolutionary Brigade Brigata Rivuluzionaria Corsa BRC January 1983 – 1986 No specific ideology Local to the Grand Ajaccio area.[2]

1989–2001: Factionalism and the Years of Lead

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In 1988, after the ceasefire with Mitterand broke apart the FLNC, many groups began to rise from the original FLNC and claim to be the legitimate successors of the organization. This era begins the widespread use of “National Liberation Front of Corsica” being used in separate group names to claim heritage.

Caption text
Name Native Name Abbreviation/Common name Dates of Operation Ideology Notes
Resistance Resistenza Resistenza 24 October 1989-May 2003 (On ceasefire from June 1996) Far-left Separatist; first split of the FLNC. Despite being anti-ceasefire, Resistenza allied with the pro-ceasefire FLNC-CA for two years to oppose the hypermilitarism of the FLNC-CS. Switched sides in 1992. Denounced violence and went on permanent ceasefire until their self-dissolution in 2003.
The Punishment U Castigu U Castigu 17 May–June 1990 Unknown Anti-Separatist. Local to Porticcio. Dismantled by FLNC militants.
National Liberation Army of Corsica Armata di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica ALNC August–November 1990 Far-left Separatist. Split from the FLNC. Rejoined the FLNC after a brief guerrilla campaign based around the town of Corte.
National Liberation Front of Corsica-Habitual Channel Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica-Canale Abituale Canal Habituel, FLNC-CA 17 October 1990 – 27 January 1997 (On ceasefire since 4 May 1996) No specific ideology Autonomist. Formed from the remnants of the pro-ceasefire sector of the FLNC. Mostly friendly to France throughout its existence, going to war with the FLNC-CS. Announced a ceasefire and internal collapse in 1996, self-dissolved in 1997.
National Liberation Front of Corsica-Historic Channel Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica-Canale Storicu Canal Historique, FLNC-CS 25 November 1990 – 23 December 1999 Far-left Separatist. De facto existed through FLNC dissidents as early as September 1988. Largest FLNC split; anti-ceasefire. Known for radical militancy and hard-hitting attacks. War with the FLNC-CA lasted until 1996, FLNC-CA dissolution occurred a year later. War with an FLNC-CS split, Armata Corsa, caused unification with other groups to form the FLNC-UC.
Enough Drugs A Droga Basta ADB November 1990-December 1995 No specific ideology Separatist. Largely an anti-drug dealer/anti-mafia group, ADB had connections to the FLNC-CS throughout its existence.
Independence Indipendenza Indipendenza December 1992-January 1993 Unknown Separatist. Local to Ajaccio.
Corsican Armed Revolutionary Front Fronte Armatu Rivuluzionariu Corsu FARC 8 January 1993 – 9 December 2005 No specific ideology Separatist. Along with another armed group, the APC, the FARC declared a “provisional government” of the Corsican Republic in 2006.[6]
Corsican Justice Ghjustizia Corsa GC 17 September 1993 – 1994(?) Unknown Separstist. Only a few known actions, including an attack on France3's Ajaccio headquarters.[7]
Rebel Front Fronte Ribellu Fronte Ribellu, FR 5 December 1995 – 23 December 1999 Far-left Split of the FLNC-CS. Split over the FLNC-CS's approach of war with the FLNC-CA before war with the government. Despite this, Fronte Ribellu found itself in a factional war with the FLNC-CS until 1999. Formed the FLNC-UC with other groups in December 1999.[8]
National Liberation Front of Corsica-5 May Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica-5 Maghju FLNC-5M 5 May 1996 – 23 December 1999 Far-left Separatist. Split from the FLNC-CA after the organization announced an “imminent end to armed struggle”. Continued the fight with the FLNC-CS. Formed the FLNC-UC with other groups in 1999.[9]
Sampiero Sampieru Sampieru 15 September 1997 – 1998 Unknown Likely separatist. Committed 2 bombings in Pietrosella and one in Strasbourg. Only ever released one press conference.[10]
Corsican University Università Corsa Università Corsa October–November 1997 Unknown Separatist. Targeted professors at the University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli.[10]
Corsican Army Armata Corsa AC 25 June 1999-September 2001 Far-left Split from the FLNC-CS, when southern division leader François Santoni and Balagne brigade leader Jean-Michel Rossi left the organization due to personal quarrels. The organization went to war with every other nationalist armed group present on the island at the time, which caused them all to unite against the AC and form the FLNC-UC. Disbanded a month after Santoni was shot to death by a mafioso.[11]
Corsican Patriot Front Fronte Patriottu Corsu FPC 8 October 1999-August 2000 Unknown Separatist. Unlike many groups, the FPC began discussions with the state to secure autonomy agreements. Self-dissolved in August 2000.[12]
Clandestine Clandestinu Clandestinu 25 November-23 December 1999 No specific ideology Separatist. Only existed for a month before founding the FLNC-UC with other organizations.
National Liberation Front of Corsica-Union of Combattants Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica-Unione di i Cumbattenti FLNC-UC 23 December 1999 – present (disarmed from June 2014 to 21 March 2023) Far-left Separatist. Largest FLNC group since the original. Originally by the FLNC-CS, FLNC-5M, Fronte Ribellu, and Clandestinu to combat Armata Corsa, but continued to operate as a united front against the French government after Armata Corsa's dissolution. Operated a harsh guerrilla campaign until June 2014, when it disarmed to allow a political solution. Rearmed a year after the death of Yvan Colonna, and has since committed a number of attacks, although not nearly to the pace of the pre-2014 organization.[11][13]
Corsican Republican Army Armata Republicana Corsa ARC 2 August 2000 – 2001 Unknown Separatist.[14]
National Liberation Front of Corsica of the Anonymous Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica di i Anonimi FLNC-A 6 July 2001-September 2002 Far-left Separatist. Proxy group of the FLNC-UC. Dissolved (likely joined the FLNC-UC) in September 2002.[15]

2001–2006: FLNC-22U, small separatist organizations, and anti-Muslim organizations

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After the September 11th attacks increased paranoia of Islamist movements attacking Corsica drove many small, far-right armed groups to form to drive Muslims out of Corsica through intimidation and armed attack. These groups were notably opposed by the FLNC, who feuded with some of them. At the same time, the FLNC-UC was going through a period of instability when many members founded a rival group, the FLNC-22 of October (FLNC-22U).

Caption text
Name Native Name Abbreviation Dates of Operation Ideology Notes
Corsican Secret Organization Organisazione Sicreta Corsa OSC April 2002 – 2006 Far-right Anti-Arab. The Name “Secret Organization” is likely a reference to the OAS. Local to the Balagne region.[16]
Corsican Christian Army Armata Cristiana Corsa ACC August 2002 – 2006 Far-right Anti-Muslim. Local to the Ajaccio area.[17]
National Liberation Army Armata di Liberazione Naziunale ALN 2 August 2002 – 22 October 2002 Unknown Separatist. Claimed a series of Gendarmerie bombings across Corsica.[18] Likely joined with FLNC-UC dissidents in October 2002 to form the FLNC-22U.
National Liberation Front of Corsica-22 October Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica-22 Uttrovi FLNC-22U 22 October 2002 – Present Far-left Separatist. Second-largest currently existing Corsican nationalist armed group, behind the FLNC-UC. Formed from an FLNC-UC split due to differing views on how to handle armed struggle (as well as an ALN unification), the FLNC-UC and FLNC-22U would feud for most of their early existence. In 2016, the FLNC-22U went on ceasefire. Since 2023, when ceasefire was broken, the FLNC-22U and FLNC-UC have worked closely together.[13][19]
Corsican Resistance Resistenza Corsa RC 29 December 2002 – 13 August 2003[20] Far-right Anti-Muslim. Local to the Bastia region. Faced with “disarmament or dissolution” by the FLNC-UC, the group joined as its 5th army faction in 2003, where its anti-Muslim ideals were rejected.[19]
Clandestines Against Drugs Clandestini Contra a Droga CCD August 2004 – 2006 Far-right Anti-Muslim. Carried out a series of attacks against Muslims in Ajaccio and Bastia.
Corsican Clandestines Clandestini Corsi CC 17 March-8 September 2004 Far-right Anti-Muslim. Carried out some of the most violent attacks against Muslims in Corsica. Dissolved after the FLNC-UC threatened them with “physical liquidation” through violent means.[21][22]
Anonymous Clandestine Movement Muvimentu Clandestini Anonimu MCA July 2004 – 2006 Far-right Anti-Muslim.
Army of the Corsican People Armata di u Populu Corsu APC May 2004-9 October 2006 Far-left Separatist. Declared a “Provisional Government of the Corsican Republic” with the FARC in 2006, who joins their organization the same year. dissolves after police arrest many higher-ups in the organization.[23]

2006–2014: FLNC legitimism

[edit]

From 2006 onwards, many splinters begin to declare their own groups with the name “FLNC”, in an attempt to claim the identity of the original FLNC.

Caption text
Name Native Name Abbreviation Dates of Operation Ideology Notes
National Liberation Front of Corsica-the One and Only Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica-u Solu è Unicu FLNC-SU 23 July 2006 – 2007 Unknown Separatist. Local to the Balagne region.[24]
Rebel Clandestines Clandsestini Ribelli CR 14 August–September 2006 Unknown Separatist. Claimed an attack on the Corsican Assembly building in Ajaccio and is suspected of another attack in Calvi.[25]
National Liberation Front of Corsica-5 May 1976 Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica-5 Maghju 1976 FLNC-1976 5 May 2008 – Present No specific ideology Separatist. Mainly local to the south of the island.[26]
Unified National Liberation Front of Corsica Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica Unificatu FLNC-U 8 August 2009 – 2012 No specific ideology Separatist. Committed a large series of attacks until its self-dissolution in 2012.[27]
National Liberation Front of Corsica-9 July Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica—9 Lugliu FLNC-9L 9 July 2012 – 2013 Unknown Small organization local to the Bastia area.[28]

2014–present: Cessation of hostilities, Yvan Colonna, and re-escalation

[edit]

After the FLNC-UC agreement in 2014, and the FLNC-22U agreement in 2016, violence was quelled significantly, however violence was intermittent through small groups. In March 2022, the 2022 Corsica Unrest saw the formation of new armed groups, and the Corsican Conflict picked up again.

Caption text
Name Native Name Abbreviation Dates of Operation Ideology Notes
National Liberation Front of Corsica-Rebirth Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica-Rinascita FLNC-R February 2017-March 2023 Unknown Separatist. Likely responsible for a number of bomb attacks throughout the peace period.[29]
National Liberation Front of Corsica-21 May Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale di a Corsica-21 Maghju FLNC-21M 21 May 2021 – present Unknown Separatist. Attributed to only a few attacks. Local to the Cap Corse region.[30]
Youth Action for the Rebirth of Corsica Azzione Ghjuventù per la Rinascita Corsa AGRC, AJRC (from the French acronym) 7 April 2022 – Present Far-left Separatist. First group to form after the death of Yvan Colonna. Local to the southern area of Corsica.[31]
Corsican Clandestine youth Ghjuventù Clandestina Corsa GCC 4 August 2022 – 19 February 2024 Far-left Separatist. Committed a series of actions across Corsica after the death of Yvan Colonna. Dismantled by police in February 2024 when three leaders of the group were arrested.[32][33]

References

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  1. ^ "Parti communiste corse : un siècle de lutte". France 3 Corse ViaStella (in French). 2020-12-21. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Regionalism and Ethnic Nationalism in France: A Case Study of Corsica by John P. Loughlin (PDF)
  3. ^ "#Corse StoriaCorsa -1973 « Les boues rouges, FPCL, premières actions clandestines revendiquées » -" (in French). 2019-08-19. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  4. ^ a b "#Corse StoriaCorsa -1974 « FPCL, Ghjustizia Paolina, CSC, ULC » -" (in French). 2019-08-20. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  5. ^ Faligot, Roger (2006). Histoire Secrète de la Ve République. La Découverte.
  6. ^ "Armata di u Populu Corsu". archive.wikiwix.com. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  7. ^ "#corse StoriaCorsa 1993 « … » -" (in French). 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  8. ^ "#corse StoriaCorsa 1995 « Overture du « Procès Furiani », la guerre fratricide s'amplifie… -" (in French). 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  9. ^ "#corse StoriaCorsa 1996 « Tralonca 600 militants du FLNC canal Historique » -" (in French). 2019-09-06. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  10. ^ a b "#corse StoriaCorsa 1997 « Répression tout'azimut contre le mouvement national » -" (in French). 2019-09-06. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  11. ^ a b "#corse StoriaCorsa 1999 « Les Accords de paix de Migliacciaru » -" (in French). 2019-09-07. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  12. ^ "Enquête sur Fronte Patriottu Corsu : 4 militants de Corsica Nazione Indipendente en garde à vue". www.unita-naziunale.org. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  13. ^ a b "Le FLNC rend hommage, met en garde et revendique dans une nouvelle communication". www.corsematin.com (in French). 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  14. ^ "#corse StoriaCorsa 2000 « Matignon I – trêve de la lutte armée, mais pas des assassinats contre des militants » -" (in French). 2019-09-08. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  15. ^ "#corse StoriaCorsa 2001 « Indi, Indi, Indipendenza » -" (in French). 2019-09-08. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  16. ^ PIVOIS, Marc. "Attentat non revendiqué en Corse mais signé". Libération (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  17. ^ Peretti-Ndiaye, Marie (2010). "Relations interethniques et débat public en Corse : les exemples ajaccien et bastiais". Diversité urbaine (in French). 10 (1): 85–103. doi:10.7202/045048ar. ISSN 1913-0694.
  18. ^ "CORSE :Un nouveau groupe clandestin dénommé "Armata di liberazione naziunale" s'est manifesté, en revendiquant l'attentat à la grenade comm is le 2 août contre la gendarmerie de Sari-Solenzara" (in French). 2002-08-13. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  19. ^ a b "#corse StoriaCorsa 2002 « Trois FLNC se positionnent sur le terrain militaire » -" (in French). 2019-09-09. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  20. ^ "Resistenza Corsa (RC) — France Politique". www.france-politique.fr. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  21. ^ "Opération contre "Clandestini Corsi"". Le Nouvel Obs (in French). 2004-11-18. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  22. ^ PIVOIS, Marc. "Tancés par leurs aînés, les Clandestini corsi se rangent". Libération (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  23. ^ "Armata di u Populu Corsu Armée du Peuple Corse APC A.P.C". archive.wikiwix.com. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  24. ^ FREQUENZA, ALTA. "Double interpellation hier à Calvi". www.alta-frequenza.corsica (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  25. ^ "Un nouveau groupe revendique le mitraillage de l'Assemblée" (in French). 2006-08-15. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  26. ^ à 00h00, Par P. E. Le 6 mai 2008 (2008-05-05). "Le FLNC 1976 veut intimider le publicitaire Séguéla". leparisien.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ "Deux membres d'un FLNC unifié revendiquent l'attentat - Corse - vescovato - l'information en direct avec Corse-Matin - corsematin.com". 2010-04-27. Archived from the original on 2010-04-27. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  28. ^ "Un nouveau FLNC voit le jour dans le maquis de la clandestinité | Corse-Matin". archive.wikiwix.com. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  29. ^ "Un commando armé se réclamant du FLNC fait irruption à un débat à Casabianca". France 3 Corse ViaStella (in French). 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  30. ^ ""F.L.N.C. Maghju 21" : un nouveau groupe armé annonce sa création lors d'une conférence de presse clandestine". France 3 Corse ViaStella (in French). 2021-05-05. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  31. ^ "Pianottoli : une résidence secondaire détruite par un incendie criminel". France 3 Corse ViaStella (in French). 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  32. ^ "Ghjuventù Clandestina Corsa: un nuovo gruppo clandestino rivendica 17 attentati – Corsica Oggi" (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  33. ^ "VIDEO. En Corse, la véritable histoire de l'organisation clandestine GCC". www.corsematin.com (in French). 2024-02-19. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
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