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
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).
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
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.
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 Mitterrand won reelection, causing anti-ceasefire activists to leave and break apart the organization.
In 1988, after the ceasefire with Mitterrand 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.
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]
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]
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
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).
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]
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]
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
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.
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
2014–present: Cessation of hostilities, Yvan Colonna, and re-escalation
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.
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]