The IRA targeted civilians. That’s the definition of terrorism. They bombed pubs and hotels. almost killed Thatcher at one hotel. Terrorism is a tactic - and IRA practiced terrorism. Sounds like you want to excuse the tactic of terrorism when practiced by the IRA murderers. Situational ethics - usually I associate that with liberals.
Sherman burned Atlanta.
The Nazis bombed London. Allied forces bombed Dresden.
The USA dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
These were attacks on civilians. Were they terrorism or acts of war between defined combatants?
That's why I asked for clarification. I recall that the IRA was not uniformed, but they were organized and limited their actions to the British in a stated grievance and conflict, although perhaps not in a legal state of war.
What is the comparison and/or contrast with Islamic jihad? That's all I'm asking.
-PJ