An attack some authorities predicted for Monday by the outlawed Cambodian Freedom Fighters never happened, officials in Koh Kong province said, though the leader of the resistance group vowed an imminent offensive.
“Nothing happened today. People are still conducting business normally,” Sre Ambel District Police Chief Nhem Dara said Monday.
Nhem Dara said Sunday that he had readied his men, who were cooperating with RCAF soldiers and military police, to protect Sre Ambel from a Monday attack by the CFF.
Pich Horn, Koh Kong’s first deputy governor, declined to say Monday whether he considered the CFF a threat.
But word of their attacks is damaging, he said.
“The rumor of the CFF will affect the development process in the province and turn tourists away,” Pich Horn said.
Writing from CFF headquarters in Long Beach, California, CFF President Chhun Yasith said he had heard “unofficial news” of an imminent CFF attack in Koh Kong, but denied instigating it.
Chhun Yasith has denied responsibility for an April attack on a Botum Sakor district ferry terminal in Koh Kong. The suspects arrested by military police were later accused of belonging to the CFF, though they said they had never heard of the group.
Observers have expressed doubts whether some of those branded as CFF members by authorities have any involvement with Chhun Yasith’s group.
But Chhun Yasith, who has repeatedly heralded imminent revolution, said Monday that the “Vietcong Puppets,” referring to the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen, will be ousted this year.
He issued a “last warning: Step out of CFF’s way!”
“Koh Kong is just only one target, there are many targets… planned to burst the entire country,” Chhun Yasith wrote.
“All armed men will stand up to fight for their own freedom, justice and future. CFF wrote its books and Hollywood will make the movies!”
