ACLED Dataset Myanmar Conflict

Following the military takeover on February 1, 2021, the political and social landscape of Myanmar has undergone significant upheaval, resulting in a complex and evolving conflict environment. Understanding the dynamics of this conflict requires analysing massive volumes of heterogeneous data, including event- based records, geospatial coordinates, and temporal logs.

In this instance, The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) is the global gold standard for disaggregated conflict data. It is a high-precision, event-based data project that monitors political violence and protests worldwide. Unlike datasets that provide monthly or annual "summary totals," ACLED records every individual incident as a separate entry, including the specific date, location, actors involved, and fatality counts.

Key Data Attributes

The dataset provides high-resolution metadata for every conflict event:

• Temporal: Precise day, month, and year of the occurrence.
• Geospatial: Exact Latitude and Longitude, administrative boundaries (States/Regions and Townships), and location names.
• Actors: Identification of specific groups (e.g., Myanmar Military, specific PDFs, or EAOs) and their interactions.
• Event Types: Classification of violence into six categories: Battles, Explosions/Remote Violence, Violence Against Civilians, Protests, Riots, and Strategic Developments.
• Impact: Reported fatalities and qualitative "notes" providing narrative context for each event.

Data Veracity & Methodology

ACLED utilizes a multi-stage verification process. Data is collected in real-time from:

• Local, regional, and international news media.
• Reports from NGOs and international organizations.
• Verified social media accounts and deep-web reporting.
• Partner organizations on the ground.

Each record undergoes a rigorous review process before being published to ensure it meets strict "forensic" evidence standards.

Significance for the Myanmar Observatory

In the Myanmar context (Post-February 1, 2021), the ACLED dataset is essential because:

• Granularity: It allows for the mapping of the "spread" of resistance from urban to rural areas.
• Normalization: It provides the raw material needed to cluster hundreds of fragmented localized groups into functional analytical categories.
• Verified Floor: It provides a "conservative minimum" of fatalities, ensuring that all data displayed in the Observatory has a high degree of evidentiary certainty.

Limitations (The Fog of War)

While ACLED is the most reliable source available, it is subject to the limitations of conflict reporting. Internet shutdowns and restricted access to active combat zones mean that ACLED figures often represent a conservative baseline.

Real-world intensity is often higher than verified reports can confirm