General information
Type of Incompatibility: Territory
Comment on Type of Incompatibility: The OPM’s basic goal is an independent West Papua. The reasons for the conflict from the OPM side are; Papuans are Melanesians and should not belong to an Asian nation, Papuans (Christian) have a different religion than the majority of Indonesians (Muslim), the people of Papua would unanimously reject integration with Indonesia, the “Act of Free Choice was forced upon the Papuan’s and Indonesia is thus occupying the territory and finally, Indonesian administration has committed crimes against human rights and rejected calls for greater democracy and self-determination.
Territory: West Papua
Date of first stated goal of incompatibility: 1964-07-31
Comment on date of first stated goals of incompatibility: The OPM was founded in July 1964. While OPM’s demand for an independent Papua quickly became publicly known, no publicly circulated manifesto can be found from the initiation of OPM’s insurgency.
On 1 December 1961 some West Papuan leaders had declared West Papua’s independence, though it was still under Dutch rule. OPM was organised out of this resistance. On 1 July 1971, the OPM declared West Papua as a sovereign republic they also announced of a West Papua interim government, including its cabinet.
Date of first use of armed force: 1965-07-28
Comment on first use of armed force: On 28 July 1965, one of the OPM leaders, Frits Awom led a large group of guerrillas, armed with bows and arrows, in an attack against Battalion 641’s barrack in Arfai in Manokwari. This event is considered the start of OPM activity even though also before this, sporadic acts of violence had been committed by unidentified groups.
Date of first battle related death: 1965-01-01
Comment on first battle related death: On 28 July 1965, one of the OPM leaders, Frits Awom led a large group of guerrillas in an attack against Battalion 641’s barrack in Arfai in Manokwari. This event is considered the start of OPM activity. In the OPM attack on Manokwari three soldiers were killed.
Date of conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1965-07-28
Comment on conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: On 28 July 1965, one of the OPM leaders, Frits Awom led a large group of guerrillas in an attack against Battalion 641’s barrack in Arfai in Manokwari. This event is considered the start of OPM activity and the ensuing counter-attacks are believed to have caused at least 25 deaths.
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1976
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1977
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1978
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1981
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1984
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1987
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1989
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1 |
| Best | 1 |
| Low | 1 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1991
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 3 |
| Best | 3 |
| Low | 3 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1992
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1 |
| Best | 1 |
| Low | 1 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1995
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 11 |
| Best | 1 |
| Low | 1 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1996
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2 |
| Best | 2 |
| Low | 2 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1998
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2000
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1 |
| Best | 1 |
| Low | 1 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2001
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 20 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2002
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2003
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2004
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2006
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 10 |
| Best | 10 |
| Low | 10 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2007
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2009
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2010
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2011
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2013
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 20 |
| Best | 20 |
| Low | 20 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2014
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 12 |
| Best | 12 |
| Low | 12 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2015
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2017
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2 |
| Best | 2 |
| Low | 2 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2018
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 45 |
| Best | 28 |
| Low | 25 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2019
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 42 |
| Best | 34 |
| Low | 21 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2020
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 33 |
| Best | 31 |
| Low | 20 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2021
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 60 |
| Best | 52 |
| Low | 25 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2022
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 47 |
| Best | 46 |
| Low | 38 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2023
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 75 |
| Best | 59 |
| Low | 39 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2024
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 63 |
| Best | 57 |
| Low | 39 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2025
Primary Parties: Government of Indonesia - OPM
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 132 |
| Best | 104 |
| Low | 74 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Conflict Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1976 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 1976, the OPM claimed to control a number of “liberated zones” covering 15% of the territory.
Terminated: NO
1977 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In May 1977 Indonesian parachutists were dropped into the central highlands of Papua. Earlier during spring the OPM had attacked several police- and military posts.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: OPM figures, given after weeks of heavy fighting, stated that 1605 guerrillas and supporting villagers had been killed along with 425 Indonesian soldiers.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1978 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: A rebel ambush on an Indonesian military helicopter carrying senior military and civilian personnel led to a sharp increase in Indonesian military operations in June-July of 1978. In connection to this, there were a number of border incursions into Papua New Guinean territory by Indonesian forces searching for rebels. Later in the year, the Indonesian government announced a new strategy in Papua. It would curtail its military offensives and deal with the OPM in a more peaceful manner.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Reports came from Papua New Guinea in April 1978 that over 5000 guerrillas and civilians as well as 3500 Indonesians had been killed in Papua since 1976. Papua New Guinea can however not be regarded as an entirely impartial source.
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: No or Low Activity
Date of termination: 1978-12-31
1981 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The year 1981 would afterwards be described by the OPM as the year of setbacks. In June the Indonesian army launched operation “Clean Sweep” provoked by small-scale OPM attacks. The operation resulted in many rebels and civilians killed.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Most deaths reported in August when the Paniai Lakes District was bombed allegedly with napalm and chemical weapons. The deathtoll was estimated 2500-13000. A Dutch TV team filming the area suggested the upper estimate. The lower was favoured by the government in Papua New Guinea.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: No or Low Activity
Date of termination: 1981-12-31
1984 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: No or Low Activity
Date of termination: 1984-12-31
1987 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
1989 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
1991 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
1992 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
1995 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
1996 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
1998 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: A Major of the Indonesian army stated that a ceasefire had been agreed between the army and the OPM. There was no further information.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2000 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2001 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2002 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2003 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2004 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2006 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2007 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2009 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2010 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2011 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2013 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2014 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2015 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2017 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2018 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2019 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: After an attack by OPM in West Papua's Nduga regency in December 2018, the conflict over West Papua became active in 2018 for the first time since 1989. The low level insurgency resulted in several incidents in 2019 leading up to the December incident, which, due to its scale, made the Government of Indonesia - OPM dyad reach the threshold of activation of a conflict.
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: No or Low Activity
2020 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Having last reached the active conflict threshold of 25 battle-related deaths in 2018, the conflict has not done so for any year since. 2020 saw the continuation of sporadic clashes between OPM rebels and the government which over the year resulted in a higher death toll than the 2019 one. All of the 2020 conflict fatalities in the occurred in the Papua province of Eastern Indonesia.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: None found.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: Not terminated
2021 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The level of organized violence in Indonesia increased in 2021 compared to in 2020, and the territorial conflict was again recorded as active in UCDP data, crossing the 25 fatality threshold. Following the killing of an Indonesian regional intelligence chief in late April 2021, violence escalated as the President ordered the security forces to chase and arrest all OPM rebels. As in recent years, the state-based violence occurred in the Papua Province.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: Not terminated
2022 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2022, violence in the conflict continued, with clashes between the government of Indonesia and OPM again occurring exclusively in the West Papua regencies. During the fall, negotiations were held between the Indonesian Government and West Papuan civil society organizations and religious associations. They reached an agreement, which mainly included a six month humanitarian pause in fighting, and humanitarian corridors. However, OPM was not involved in negotiations, and their main military faction, TPNPB, has rejected the agreement.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: During the fall, negotiations were held between the Indonesian Government and West Papuan civil society organizations and religious associations. They reached an agreement, which mainly included a six month humanitarian pause in fighting, and humanitarian corridors. However, OPM was not involved in negotiations, and their main military faction, TPNPB, has rejected the agreement.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: Not terminated
2023 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2023, violence in the conflict continued, with clashes between the government of Indonesia and OPM again almost exclusively occurring in the West Papua regencies. Most events are recorded either in the Papua Pegunungan (Highland Papua) province or in the Papua Tengah (Central Papua) province. Though peace talks were held during the previous fall, they were not held in 2023, and violence continued all through the year. The best estimate of fatalities somewhat increased compared to the previous year.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: Not terminated
2024 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2024, violence in the conflict persisted, with clashes between the government of Indonesia and OPM continuing to occur almost exclusively in the West Papua regencies. Most of these incidents were recorded in the Papua Pegunungan (Highland Papua) province and the Papua Tengah (Central Papua) province. Although peace talks had been held in previous years, the violence persisted. The best estimated number of fatalities has increased compared to previous years.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: Not terminated
2025 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: 2025 saw a significant increase with almost double the fatalities compared to the previous year. The increase can be attributed to the occurrence of a few more deadly events, such as the attack on a gold mine in Highland Papua which was the deadliest attack carried out by OPM in years as 15 fatalities were recorded. OPM claimed that the miners were soldiers under disguise, but other sources stated them as civilians. Advances from the Indonesian government also led to events with higher fatalities, such as the reclaiming of Soanggama village which had previously been under OPM control. This resulted in 14 confirmed fatalities.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: Not terminated
