Cambodia Condemns Thai Bombings as Violations of Ceasefire, International Law

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec.13,2025) — Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense on Saturday demanded that Thai armed forces immediately cease attacks and withdraw from Cambodian territory after what officials described as the opening of a new battlefield in Koh Kong province.

The ministry said Thai forces launched assaults early Saturday, expanding hostilities into Cambodia’s 3rd Military Region. Officials called the strikes a “brutal” escalation.

“We demand that Thailand take full responsibility for its invasion of Cambodia,” Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, ministry spokeswoman, told reporters on Saturday. “Cambodia calls on Thailand to immediately stop its hostile acts and withdraw its troops from Cambodian territory.”

According to Socheata, Thai forces attacked between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Dec. 13. She said two F-16 fighter jets dropped seven bombs on targets in Pursat province. At 5:50 a.m. and 5:55 a.m., bombs struck hotel buildings in Tmor Da.

At 6:02 a.m., another destroyed the Chei Chomnas Bridge, followed by additional strikes at 6:07 and 6:12 a.m. that damaged both the main and old Chei Chomnas bridges.

The ministry also reported that at about 2 a.m., the Thai navy shelled Koh Kong from a vessel offshore, firing 20 artillery rounds. Two shells landed near the entrance to Koh Yor Beach, one struck the southern beach near Bak Klong Pagoda, two hit hotel buildings, and the rest fell into the sea.

The ministry accused Thailand of violating the ceasefire agreement and the Joint Declaration on Peace signed Oct. 26, 2025, witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as ASEAN chair.

Officials said Thailand had unilaterally withdrawn from recognizing those accords despite international calls to respect them.

Cambodia alleged the Thai military committed war crimes by targeting civilian areas, infrastructure, and cultural sites. It demanded Thailand halt all aggressive actions, stop spreading false information, and end attacks on civilians.

The ministry said Cambodia’s self-defense operations were directed only at Thai military targets, not civilians, and reaffirmed its commitment to international law, including humanitarian law.

Cambodia urged the international community to condemn Thailand’s actions and hold its military accountable. Officials said Cambodian forces remain engaged in defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.