By: William Bill

Cambodia, July 26, 2025 — The Cambodian government announced on Saturday that at least 13 Cambodians had been killed and 71 others injured over the past two days of intense fighting with Thai armed forces.

Maly Socheata, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said, “During the two days of clashes (July 24–25, 2025), five Cambodian soldiers were killed and 21 others wounded. In addition, eight civilians lost their lives, and 50 others were injured.” She added that more than 35,000 civilians had been affected and evacuated to the safer places.

Addressing the casualties, Pen Bona, spokesman of Cambodian Government stated that Thailand continued to fire and drop bombs using F-16 jet fighters on civilian targets inside Cambodia, including pagodas, health centers, residential areas, and the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage property. He emphasized that these actions constitute clear crimes against humanity. However, Thailand denied the allegations, saying that since the first shot was fired, its military has targeted only military objectives in Cambodia.

Pen Bona further said that Thailand had used cluster munitions — banned under international law — calling it a grave and inhumane act against Cambodia. Among the destruction, he said, Tamon Senchey Pagoda in Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, was severely damaged, resulting in the death of a clergyman.

Fighting between Cambodian and Thai armed forces erupted on July 24 at eight locations along the border, primarily around centuries-old temples located within Cambodian territory that Thailand has recently laid claim to.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated on July 25 that Cambodia had agreed to a ceasefire proposed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as ASEAN’s rotating chair — a proposal that the Thai side rejected.

“An initial response I received from His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, after he spoke with His Excellency Phumtham Wechayachai, Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, was that the Thai side had agreed to his proposal for a ceasefire, setting 12:00 AM on July 24, 2025, as the time for both sides to cease fighting,” said Hun Manet.

“However, it is regrettable that just over an hour later, the Thai side informed us they had reversed their position — from agreeing to the ceasefire at 12:00 AM on July 24, 2025, to not agreeing and instead waiting for a later date. His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim is well aware of this situation,” he added.

Hun Manet concluded that “the key to resolving the current armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia is the genuine willingness of the Thai side to accept a ceasefire, which is the first step toward finding further solutions between the two countries.”

A long-serving Southeast Asian diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said, “Thailand is trying to buy time before agreeing to a ceasefire or engaging in talks with Cambodia until their armed forces have captured at least one or two temples or other disputed areas.”

Source: Puy Kea