Cambodia reports Thailand’s use of cluster munitions to UN

Cambodia reports Thailand’s use of cluster munitions to UN

Synopsis: Cambodia has written to the UN Convention on Cluster Munitions to report what it calls a ‘premeditated act of aggression’ by Thailand.
The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) yesterday sent a letter to the president of the UN Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), denouncing what it calls a grave act of aggression by Thai armed forces involving the use of cluster munitions on Cambodian soil.

The letter, addressed to Carlos D Sorreta, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and President of the 13th Meeting of CCM States Parties, was sent on Monday by Senior Minister and CMAA First Vice-President Ly Thuch. It details a series of “coordinated and premeditated” attacks carried out by the Royal Thai Armed Forces beginning on Thursday, targeting Cambodian military positions in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces.

According to the CMAA, the situation intensified on the Friday morning when Thai military units launched two separate strikes using cluster munitions, first at Phnom Khmouch (Ghost Mountain) at 5.25 am, and then at Techo Thammacheat village in Choam Ksan district at 6.50 am.

“These deliberate strikes constitute a gross violation of humanitarian principles, threaten civilian lives, and inflict long-term suffering on affected communities,” the letter stated. “The renewed use of such weapons on Cambodian soil is unconscionable and must be met with firm international condemnation.”

Although Cambodia is not a state party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, it has long supported its humanitarian objectives and continues to clear remnants of such weapons from previous conflicts. Millions of submunitions dropped in earlier wars continue to kill and injure Cambodian civilians, the letter noted.

“This latest use of cluster munitions reopens old wounds,” said Thuch. “Cambodia remains committed to peace, but we will not compromise our sovereignty nor remain silent in the face of deliberate acts of violence.”

The Cambodian government has urged CCM states parties and the international community to take swift action, including deploying independent observers to assess the damage and document violations. It emphasised that the strikes not only violate international law but also place thousands of civilians at risk in affected areas.

In a statement, CMAA called on provincial mine action committees, demining task forces, development partners, and all mine action operators to work together to prevent further casualties. The authority is urging immediate integration of mine risk education in both safe zones and areas suspected of contamination. Public education campaigns will be expanded to warn displaced communities of the dangers posed by landmines and UXOs.

International Relations Institute of Cambodia Director General Kin Phea said: “The World Heritage-listed Temple of Preah Vihear was damaged by cluster bombs and heavy weaponry used during the invasion by Thai forces.

“We strongly condemn these barbaric attacks and urgently call on UNESCO to take immediate and decisive measures to safeguard this invaluable cultural heritage.”