AKP Phnom Penh, December 24, 2025 --

Civilian residential areas in Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, and Oddar Meanchey provinces were the targets of brutal and inhumane attacks by Thai forces today, according to a report from the Ministry of National Defence.

At 9:12 a.m., Thai forces fired two shells into a densely populated residential area in Poipet city, Banteay Meanchey province. One shell landed near the "58 Roundabout," while another struck Sangkat Nimitt, the Ministry added.

Shortly thereafter, at 9:40 a.m., a third shell was fired into a densely populated civilian area in Kon Trei area, O’Chrov district, near National Road No. 5 in Banteay Meanchey. This attack resulted in injuries to two innocent civilians.

Twenty minutes later, at 10:00 a.m., the Thai military deployed T-50 fighter jets to drop four bombs on a residential area deeper within Cambodian sovereign territory in the Banan district of Battambang province.

Earlier this morning, at 5:05 a.m., the Thai military fired 12.7 mm tank- and armored vehicle-mounted guns into privately owned civilian buildings in the O’Smach area of Oddar Meanchey province.

The Ministry emphasised that these actions constitute indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians and represent a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

As of the evening of Dec. 23, 21 Cambodian civilians have been killed and 83 others injured. Furthermore, approximately 608,000 people, including nearly 319,000 women and 192,000 children, have been forced to flee their homes for safer zones as the Thai aggressive invasion of Cambodia enters its 18th day.

By Heng Panha