Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on the public to unite in defending the country’s territory, support frontline troops and help displaced people facing hardship. He said this unity should not be a brief flare of enthusiasm, like a straw fire, but a spirit nurtured over time to strengthen the nation and its defence capabilities and preserve lasting peace for future generations. He made the appeal on the morning of May 15 at the celebration of the 19th Cambodia Veterans and Retirees Day.
As background, Cambodia has accused Thai forces of aggression and unlawful occupation of Cambodian territory. According to Cambodian authorities’ accounts of the second round of fighting, which lasted 21 days in late 2025, Thai forces used guns, drones, fighter aircraft and heavy weapons fired from naval vessels, as well as ground assaults. Cambodian accounts said hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced, tens of thousands of children had their schooling disrupted, and many Cambodian soldiers were killed or wounded.
By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
