Civilian death toll from Thai attacks rises to 21, at least 83 wounded

The home of a Cambodian family that was destroyed by Thai forces. Information ministry

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Shelling and airstrikes by the Thai military killed 21 Cambodian civilians and wounded at least 83 as of 6pm on December 22.

The Ministry of Interior announced the death of a displaced civilian in Oddar Meanchey province, with three additional civilians injured in Banteay Meanchey province.

At the same time, the number of civilians displaced by the fighting reached 544,703, including 285,544 women and 174,006 children. These figures may increase if the fighting expands.

Since December 7, more than 100 homes have been damaged, along with numerous schools and health centres, as well as pagodas and temples. Several bridges and civilian commercial buildings were also damaged.

“To date, more than half a million Cambodian people, including women and children, are suffering after being forced to flee their homes and schools to escape gunfire, artillery shells and aerial bombings by Thai F-16 aircraft, which have already destroyed homes and villages,” noted the ministry.

An ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the current Cambodia–Thailand situation, held in Malaysia today, concluded with the issuance of a special statement, highlighting the possibility of moving toward the implementation of a ceasefire and renewing a joint statement on Cambodia–Thailand peace, even as Cambodian forces continue to defend the Kingdom.

The ministry expressed support for the foreign ministers’ efforts to implement the ceasefire and bring an end to the renewed hostilities between the two countries. Point 9 of the statement notes preparations for a meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on December 24, aimed at discussing the implementation of a ceasefire.

The ministry expressed optimism that the Thais would act in good faith to implement the ceasefire in accordance with ASEAN’s objectives.

-the Phonm Penh Post-