Cambodia has issued strong condemnations as the Thai military continues to carry out armed aggression against Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, with more bombs dropped and “toxic smoke” fired on Cambodian territory.
At 10.08am and 10.11am this morning, December 15, the Thai military used F-16 fighter jets to drop two bombs in Chong Kal District and Srei Snam District, in Siem Reap province, near refugee camps, more than 70 kilometres into Cambodian territory.
“This constitutes an act of aggression by the Thai military, deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. Thailand has violated international law by attacking civilians,” said Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra.
Video footage showed students at a school in Srei Snam District fleeing after the Thai military dropped bombs near their school.
“In addition to violating Cambodian territory, the Thai military has deliberately targeted civilians in its attacks. Young schoolchildren were terrified by the deafening sound of the bombings,” he added.
Since the renewed conflict began on December 7, the number of civilians killed by Thai attacks has risen to 13, with at least 74 injured. The number of displaced civilians has increased to more than 400,000 people, according to the Ministry of Interior.
“The Cambodian people urgently call upon the international community — especially US President Donald Trump and world leaders — to intervene and immediately put an end to the brutal crimes committed by the Thai military against the Cambodian population,” said Pheaktra.
