General information
Part of Conflict: Myanmar (Burma): Government
Date of first stated goals of incompatibility: 2021-04-16
Comment on date of first stated goal of incompatibility: The National Unity Government (NUG) was a political organization established on 16 April 2021 following the military coup in Myanmar and the violent repression of anti-coup protests. Led by interim President Duwa Lashi La, the NUG consisted primarily of elected members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), lawmakers, and pro-democracy activists. The NUG sought to overthrow the military regime and establish a federal democratic union in Myanmar. On 5 May 2021, it established its armed wing, the People's Defence Force (PDF), and claimed to be the country's legitimate government.
Date of first use of armed force: 2021-05-10
Comment on date of first use of armed force: On 5 May 2021, the NUG announced the formation of its armed wing, the People's Defence Forces (PDF), with the stated aim of protecting civilians from violence by the military regime and resisting military rule. Following its establishment, numerous local anti-coup resistance groups and self-defence forces pledged allegiance to the NUG and rebranded themselves as the local chapters of the PDF. On 10 May 2021, fighters affiliated with the Sagaing Region PDF ambushed government forces, resulting in armed clashes, and the PDF claimed to have killed at least three soldiers.
First Battle Related Death: 2021-05-10
Comment on First Battle Related Death: On 10 May 2021, fighters affiliated with the Sagaing Region PDF ambushed government forces, resulting in armed clashes, and the PDF claimed to have killed at least three soldiers.
Date when dyad reached 25 battle releated deaths: 2021-05-18
Comment on date when dyad reached 25 battle related deaths: The conflict between the Government of Myanmar and NUG reached 25 batle-related fatalities on 18 May 2021, when a landmine killed a civilian in Chin state.
Conflict issues
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
2021
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 3241 |
| Best | 647 |
| Low | 560 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Myanmar (Burma)): n/a
Side B (NUG): n/a
2022
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 6192 |
| Best | 1269 |
| Low | 1112 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Myanmar (Burma)): n/a
Side B (NUG): n/a
2023
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 5940 |
| Best | 1406 |
| Low | 1318 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Myanmar (Burma)): n/a
Side B (NUG): n/a
2024
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1982 |
| Best | 955 |
| Low | 943 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Myanmar (Burma)): n/a
Side B (NUG): n/a
2025
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1740 |
| Best | 1101 |
| Low | 1097 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Myanmar (Burma)): n/a
Side B (NUG): n/a
Dyad Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
2021 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2022 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2023 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2024 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: The NUG and allied local defense groups continued to lead the nationwide resistance against the military regime, particularly in Sagaing and Magway regions, Chin and Kayah states, and parts of Mandalay and Tanintharyi regions. The NUG also maintained links with ethnic armed organizations such as the KNU and KIO, cooperating in both military operations and local governance.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: No formal negotiations took place between the military and the NUG in 2024. The military continued to designate the NUG as a terrorist organization, while the NUG maintained its position that it would not engage in talks unless the military gave up power.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2025 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: The conflict over government escalated slightly in 2025, with fighting continuing across the country. The primary driver of this escalation was the ongoing conflict between the Government of Myanmar and the NUG, with fatalities reaching approximately 1 100, compared to around 990 in the previous year. The military intensified its campaign of airstrikes against rebel-held territories and areas perceived to support the resistance. Mandalay, Magway, and Sagaing regions continued to serve as strongholds of the NUG.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: There were no negotiations between the Government of Myanmar and NUG.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
