Cambodia Condemns Thai forces of fresh attacks on civilians as border clashes intensify

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec.19,2025) — Cambodia Condemns Thailand on Friday of launching new, indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas as fighting along their shared border entered its 13th day, with reports of rising casualties.

The Ministry of National Defence said Thai armed forces carried out “brutal attacks” with no clear military objective, alleging that schools, villages and urban areas were struck.

Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said the alleged assaults showed a lack of good faith in efforts to reach a peaceful resolution. She accused Thai forces of opening new fronts inside Cambodian territory.

At a briefing, Socheata claimed Thai forces fired heavy naval artillery and conducted drone strikes deep inside Cambodia on Dec. 19. She said attacks took place overnight from Dec. 18 to 19 in the 4th Military Region, which covers parts of Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces.

According to the ministry, shelling was reported between 5 p.m. on Dec. 18 and 7 a.m. the following morning, including strikes near Ta Moun temple and Dom Nak Sdech. Other areas were said to remain calm.

In the 5th Military Region, covering Banteay Meanchey and Pursat provinces, Cambodian officials alleged further attacks in the early hours of Dec. 19. They reported shelling in the O’Plouk Damrei area, naval gunfire targeting Tmar Dar, strikes on Prey Chan village, and drone activity over Tmar Dar.

The Cambodian government insisted its own operations were limited to self-defense and directed only at Thai military targets, denying any attacks on civilians. It accused Thailand of deliberately targeting civilian populations, causing deaths and injuries.

Socheata further alleged Thailand used F-16 fighter jets, drones, cluster munitions and toxic substances, and deployed large numbers of troops inside Cambodian territory. She said the actions violated the U.N. Charter, the ASEAN Charter and international law.

Cambodia called on the international community to condemn what it described as Thailand’s violations of a joint declaration and international law, demanding an immediate cease-fire and the withdrawal of Thai forces.

Socheata said Cambodian armed forces and national police would remain on high alert and continue to exercise what she described as their right to self-defense under international law to protect civilians and the country’s territorial integrity.