Thai Strikes Kill 21 Civilians, Displace Over Half a Million in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 23, 2025) — Continued Thai attacks on Cambodia’s border provinces have deepened the humanitarian crisis, with the civilian death toll rising to 21 and more than half a million people forced from their homes, Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior said Tuesday.

Officials reported 83 civilians injured and 544,685 displaced, including nearly 286,000 women and 174,000 children. Authorities warned the figures could climb as fighting persists.

The latest strikes damaged homes in Preah Vihear and road sections in Banteay Meanchey. Since hostilities erupted Dec. 7, destruction has spread to schools, health centers, temples, pagodas, markets, offices, hotels, farms, bridges and telecommunications towers. Cambodian officials said Thailand’s use of artillery, rockets and repeated F-16 airstrikes has devastated residential areas and community infrastructure.

As Cambodian forces continued defensive operations, ASEAN foreign ministers met in Malaysia, urging both sides to resume implementation of the ceasefire and the Joint Declaration on Cambodia–Thailand peace. The Interior Ministry welcomed the appeal and said preparations were underway for a General Border Committee meeting on Dec. 24 to discuss verification measures.

The ministry also praised public solidarity under Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet, describing citizen support as a source of strength for armed forces defending national territory.