Battle-related deaths are deaths in battle-related conflicts between warring parties in the conflict dyad (two units that are parties to a conflict). Typically, battle-related deaths occur in warfare involving the armed forces of the warring parties. This includes traditional battlefield fighting, guerrilla activities, and all kinds of bombardments of military units, cities, villages, and so forth. The targets are usually the military itself and its installations or state institutions and state. Civilians in UCDP data are unarmed people who are not active members of the security forces of the state, or members of an organized armed militia or opposition group. Government officials, such as members of parliament, governors, and councilors, are also excluded and are instead seen as representatives of the government of a state.
Source: Uppsala Conflict Data Program