Golden Valley Warriors
| Golden Valley Warriors | |
|---|---|
| ရွှေတောင်ကြားစစ်သည်တော်အဖွဲ့ | |
| Battles and wars | internal conflict in Myanmar |
The Golden Valley Warriors (Burmese: ရွှေတောင်ကြားစစ်သည်တော်အဖွဲ့; abbreviated GVW) is a urban guerrilla armed group in Myanmar.[1]
History
On May 22, 2025, retired lieutenant colonel and former Myanmar ambassador to Cambodia Cho Tun Aung was assassinated in Yangon, marking one of the highest-profile targeted killings since the military coup in 2021. He was shot multiple times outside his residence in Mayangone Township while returning from a gym session.[2]
Cho Tun Aung had previously served in Myanmar’s Tatmadaw, and was active as a political science lecturer after his diplomatic career. He was also a member of the country’s War Veterans Organization. According to the Golden Valley Warriors, Cho Tun Aung played a key role in training military cadres and supporting the junta’s counterinsurgency efforts.[3]
The assassination was claimed by the Golden Valley Warriors group, who stated that his activities directly contributed to military operations targeting resistance groups.[4] Myanmar's state-run media later confirmed his death, underscoring the severity of the attack.[5]
Observers viewed the assassination as a psychological blow to the junta and a sign of growing sophistication among urban guerrilla forces.[6][7][8]
Between 23–29 May 2025, SAC's security forces arrested 16 individuals, including a six-year-old girl, allegedly connected to the assassination plot. This group purportedly included the gunman Myo Ko Ko, his family, a hospital owner accused of treating him, and community members involved in providing support or coverage for the act.[9]
See also
References
- ^ An urban guerrilla group in Myanmar claims responsibility for assassinating a retired army officer. AP News. Grant Peck. May 22, 2025.
- ^ "Ex-ambassador gunned down in Yangon". Myanmar Now. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Yangon guerrillas claim assassination of military lecturer". The Irrawaddy. 23 May 2025.
- ^ "An urban guerrilla group in Myanmar claims responsibility for killing ex-general". Greenwich Time. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Myanmar's state media confirms death of slain ex-ambassador". Myanmar Now. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Assassination rocks Yangon; Junta boss rewrites history and more". The Irrawaddy. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Urban guerrillas in Myanmar claim responsibility for deadly attack on ex-general". The Asahi Shimbun. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "High-Level Assassination Rattles Myanmar Regime". Asia Sentinel. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Myanmar arrests 16 suspects, including 6-year-old girl, over alleged links to assassination". AP News. 5 June 2025. Archived from the original on 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.