Deminers from the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) discovered 25 M46-type cluster munitions, delivered via 155mm artillery shells, which were widely used during the Thai-Cambodian armed conflict from July 24 to 28.
Heng Ratana, CMAC director-general, stated that these munitions were found in just two days of clearance operations for explosive remnants and cluster bombs in Ta Moan Senchey village, Kouk Mon commune, Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, on December 1 and 2.
He highlighted several international conventions, such as the Convention on Cluster Munitions, to which neither Cambodia nor Thailand is a state party.
“Cambodia did not use them in the war with Thailand, whereas Thailand did,” he observed.
He pointedly noted that there are two other conventions to which both Cambodia and Thailand are state parties: the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
Ratana reminded the public to remain vigilant regarding the explosive remnants left behind by the Thai attacks.
“I appeal to citizens in the 77 villages across Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces affected by the war with Thailand to exercise the utmost caution regarding these cluster munitions, which are fresh remnants of war. Do not forget that on October 25, a 10-year-old boy was killed and his father seriously injured when a similar cluster bomb exploded,” he said.
