Cambodia Reaffirms Commitment to Humanitarian Law as ICRC Confirms Safety of 18 Soldiers in Thailand

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 19, 2025) — Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to international humanitarian law amid border tensions, as the International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that 18 Cambodian soldiers held in Thailand are safe and in good health.

The assurance came during a Dec. 17 meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Jürg Montani, who presented his credentials as head of the ICRC Regional Delegation to Cambodia.

Sokhonn welcomed Montani’s appointment and praised the ICRC’s more than 50 years of humanitarian work in Cambodia, including support for detainee welfare, rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, cooperation with the Cambodian Red Cross and promotion of humanitarian law. He noted that Cambodia has joined the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to IHL.

Sokhonn also briefed the ICRC on recent developments in the Cambodia–Thailand conflict, citing civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, and reiterated Cambodia’s call for full respect of humanitarian law and ceasefire commitments.

Montani said he had conducted his fourth visit to the 18 Cambodian soldiers in Thai custody, confirming their safety and health, and noted that the ICRC has facilitated communication between the soldiers and their families.

Sokhonn reaffirmed Cambodia’s call for an end to the fighting to allow displaced civilians to return home and for the ceasefire and Joint Declaration on peace signed in Kuala Lumpur to be implemented in good faith.