The unexpected flurry of activity within the north Belfast UDA shows that internal tensions within loyalism remain dangerously unresolved.
It is not entirely clear why former north Belfast 'brigadier' Jim Simpson – ousted by Johnny Adair last year – launched an attempt to take over his former power base earlier this week.
There is a suggestion that a dispute over the proceeds of a bank robbery sparked this abortive coup by Simpson and up to 40 supporters.
If this is so, then there will be little surprise among the wider community who have absolutely no doubt that these paramilitary groups are steeped in criminality and corruption.
The immediate result of Simpson's failed bid for control is that he and his followers have been driven from the area, just as Adair's cohorts were forced to flee the lower Shankill earlier this year.
The vast majority of people will be unconcerned at the internecine warfare which erupts on a regular basis in loyalism.
However, experience has shown that such feuds can have deadly repercussions as these sectarian organisations eventually tire of shooting each other and turn their attentions elsewhere.
It would be easy to mock the leaders of these groupings with their military pretensions, ridiculous nicknames and inflated egos.
But we must remember that these are well armed, highly dangerous and entirely ruthless groups which kill, maim and destroy without compunction.
Add vicious power struggles to an already volatile mix and the outcome will be unpredictable but never good.
It is important for the wider community that efforts are made to maintain calm and eradicate the threat of violence from all paramilitaries.
However, recent events have clearly demonstrated that the UDA is an unstable organisation which continues to pose a considerable threat.
