>>27677337The IRA sniping activities further restricted the freedom of movement of the British Army in South Armagh by hindering their patrols. The MoD issued a new type of body armour, which was both expensive (£4,000) and too heavy (32 lbs) for use on patrol.[71] The morale of the troops was so low that some servicemen had to be disciplined for remaining in shelter while under orders to check vehicles.[72] A British major said that:
That meant that to some extent the IRA had succeeded in forcing troops off the ground and it made helicopters more vulnerable so we had to guard against using them too much.[6]
The IRA strategy also diverted a large amount of British security resources from routine operations to tackle the threat.[73] Until the 1994 ceasefire, even the SAS was unable to prevent the attacks. The IRA ceasefire between 1994 and 1996 made surveillance easier for the RUC and the British Army,[74] leading to the success against the Caraher team.[75] The security forces set the ground for an SAS ambush by deploying a decoy patrol, but this counter-sniper operation failed twice. At the end, the sniper squad was tracked to a farm complex and arrested there.[76]
By the second IRA ceasefire, another team was still operational, and two Barrett rifles remained unaccounted for.[77] The campaign is viewed as the most efficient overall IRA operation in Northern Ireland for this period.[78]
A Highway Code-style sign saying "SNIPER AT WORK" was mounted by the IRA near Crossmaglen and became an icon of the republican cause.[79]
