On December 24, as ASEAN promoted ceasefire talks between Cambodia and Thailand, security conditions along the border remained tense. Cambodia said Thai forces had intensified military operations in Cambodian border areas ahead of the talks, shelling and conducting air strikes on several populated areas, causing civilian casualties and large-scale evacuations.
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence said Thai troops had repeatedly shelled densely populated areas including Poipet, Banteay Meanchey and Preah Vihear since December, and deployed F-16 jets for air strikes. The operations had killed 21 civilians, injured 83 and forced approximately 550,000 people from their homes, the ministry said. Cambodia described the military actions as serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The notice also said several Poipet neighbourhoods had come under repeated shelling in the most recent day and air strikes had occurred in Preah Vihear, further damaging civilian facilities. Since the conflict erupted on December 7, more than 100 homes, schools, medical facilities, religious sites and government buildings had sustained varying degrees of damage, worsening the humanitarian situation along the border.
Compiled reporting by this station
