Cambodia Says Counter Operations Target Thai Military, Not Civilians Amid Escalating Border Clashes

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 10, 2025) — Cambodia’s defense minister has insisted the country’s counter operations along the Thai border are aimed strictly at military targets, rejecting claims that Cambodian forces have struck civilian areas as fighting entered a third consecutive day.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Seiha said Wenesday that Cambodia was acting in self defense after what it described as Thai initiated attacks across several provinces. “Cambodia’s self defense is solely directed at Thai military targets, not civilian areas,” Seiha said, adding that Phnom Penh “consistently upholds all obligations under international law, particularly international humanitarian law.”

Geopolitical analyst Yang Peou said the clashes follow a pattern of alleged Thai provocations. “If we look at previous incidents, including the five day clash earlier this year in which a Cambodian soldier was killed, it shows Thailand repeatedly initiated fire,” he said. Peou added that Cambodia exercised “maximum restraint” when the latest confrontation began on Dec. 7, saying troops did not immediately return fire.

Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, said Thai forces fired the first shots on Dec. 7 and have since expanded attacks with artillery and F 16 airstrikes into Cambodian territory.

Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen announced Dec. 9 that Cambodian forces launched counter attacks after holding positions for more than 24 hours to respect the cease fire and allow civilians to evacuate. He said operations resumed late Tuesday after Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared Thailand intended to seize 11 strategic positions.

The Defense Ministry reported seven Cambodian civilians killed, 20 injured and more than 20,105 families — about 101,229 people — displaced between Dec. 7 and Dec. 9. Officials said Thai forces continued shelling civilian areas Wednesday morning.