Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence says five provinces came under attack today from Thai fighter jets and heavy weapons as cross-border clashes intensified for a fourth consecutive day.
In a statement issued this morning, the ministry said Thai F-16 aircraft dropped munitions on areas of O Bei Choan commune and Poipet in Banteay Meanchey, as well as the Ta Moan temple zone and Samraong town in Oddar Meanchey. In Preah Vihear province, strikes were reported in Mum Bei, An Ses, Phnom Khmao, and around the Preah Vihear temple.
The statement said Thai forces also used heavy artillery and smoke munitions in a total of eleven attacks between 5.20 a.m. and 2.22 p.m. The locations included Ta Moan, An Ses, Khnar temple, Ta Krabey, Ta Thav, Thmar Don, Bos Sbov, Choam Tae, Mum Bei, Preah Vihear temple, Veal Entry, and Chamkar Chek, all situated in Preah Vihear province.
In Pursat province, Thai troops reportedly carried out two attacks at 9.01 a.m., firing two DK rounds and deploying drone-dropped explosives in Chey Chumnes commune of Veal Veng district.
Battambang province was also hit twice, with Thai forces firing five rounds of 100 millimetre and 105 millimetre mortars into Chakrey commune in Phnom Proek district and into Ta Sda commune in Sampov Loun district.
The ministry described the attacks on both military and civilian areas as a serious violation of international humanitarian law. It said Cambodian forces remain in defensive positions and continue to resist Thai advances.
The cross-border fighting erupted again three days ago. Cambodia says it has been exercising its right of self-defence since Monday evening.
Thailand’s KhaoSod newspaper quoted the Royal Thai Army as saying it has acted with honour to protect Thailand’s sovereignty since launching operations on December 7. The paper also reported that the Royal Thai Air Force denied Cambodian claims that Thai F-16 jets crossed into Cambodian airspace near Poipet on Wednesday.
Bloomberg reported today that United States President Donald Trump plans to hold phone calls with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand in an attempt to end the conflict. Speaking at an event in Pennsylvania on December 9, Trump said he intends to call both leaders this week to stop what he described as a dangerously escalating war.
However, the Thai Enquirer quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura saying Thailand has not yet received any notification of such a call.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim wrote on his official Facebook page today that he spoke last night with the prime ministers of both Cambodia and Thailand about the ongoing tensions, but said no complete resolution has yet been reached. He added that Malaysia will continue to support peaceful dialogue based on international law and regional cooperation to safeguard stability and security.
