Cambodia Appeals to Global Ban Treaty, Citing Thai Use of Cluster Munitions in Civilian Areas

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 15, 2025) — Cambodia has appealed to the international community overseeing the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), warning of grave humanitarian and legal violations after what it described as Thai military use of cluster munitions in civilian areas during recent border clashes.

In a letter to Thongsavan Phomvihane, Lao PDR’s foreign minister and president of the Third Review Conference of the CCM, Senior Minister Ly Thuch, first vice president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, urged urgent international attention and condemnation.

According to Cambodian officials, cluster munitions were allegedly deployed by Thai forces during incursions from July 24–28 and again after fighting resumed Dec. 7, causing civilian casualties, mass displacement and long term risks to communities. The letter cited the death of a Cambodian child from an unexploded submunition after the July clashes, underscoring the indiscriminate danger posed by cluster weapons.

Military reports further alleged strikes near the UNESCO listed Preah Vihear Temple on Dec. 13 and 14, raising alarm over civilian safety and cultural heritage.

While Thailand is not a State Party to the CCM, Cambodia said use of cluster munitions in civilian areas violates international humanitarian law. “Cluster munitions leave a deadly legacy that persists long after fighting ends,” Ly Thuch wrote.

Cambodia urged the CCM community to condemn the alleged use, reinforce global norms against cluster weapons and support efforts to prevent further deployment. Officials said thousands have been displaced and infrastructure damaged since fighting resumed earlier this month.

“The integrity of the global ban on cluster munitions depends on collective action,” the letter concluded.