Cambodia Accuses Thailand of War Crimes as Border Attacks Escalate

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 14, 2025) — Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence accused the Thai military Sunday of committing war crimes, citing indiscriminate attacks on Cambodian territory and the alleged use of toxic smoke as fighting intensified along the border.

Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said Thai forces carried out sustained shelling from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., striking multiple locations in Military Region 4, including civilian areas near the Preah Vihear and Ta Krabey temples. The assaults reportedly involved heavy artillery, armored vehicles, bomb-dropping drones and toxic agents.

Additional long-range strikes were reported in surrounding areas, while further attacks occurred in Military Region 5, where Thai forces allegedly fired artillery into villages and deployed drones carrying explosives. Cambodian forces, the Ministry said, remain on high alert and are acting strictly in self-defense.

“The deliberate targeting of areas without distinction, coupled with the use of toxic substances, constitutes serious violations of international humanitarian law,” the Ministry said, adding that such actions amount to war crimes under the U.N. Charter and related conventions.