The Irish Republican Army has claimed responsibility for the ambush of Crown Forces personnel in North Belfast on Sunday, as reported today in local media outlets.

Two armed members of the Crown Forces, having exited an amoured vehicle on the Crumlin Road a short distance from a British installation, were engaged by an Active Service Unit of the IRA’s Belfast Brigade.

What’ is “believed to have been an AK47 rifle was used”, according to the same reports. One Crown Forces member was hit in the arm several times, and possibly had his life saved by body armour according to his superiors.

A local news outlet carried the claim of responsibility this morning, stating the IRA had said the attack was “targeted” and “not linked to events at Stormont”

In the statement to local media, the IRA said the operation had been “planned for several months” with the movements of the Crown Force unit being constantly monitored.

Sunday’s ambush follows on from recent IRA operations in Belfast, which have resulted in the Crown Forces being engaged across the city by the IRA using assault rifles, explosive munitions and an improvised grenade launcher.

Crown Force oppression in Republican areas of Belfast and the Occupied Six Counties has been intense in recent months, with Irish Republicans and their families bearing the brunt of a sustained campaign of oppression and intimidation. It seems oppression breeds resistance.