AKP Phnom Penh, December 09, 2025 -- 

The United States and China have expressed concern over the continued fighting and casualties along the Cambodia-Thailand border, urging both countries to de-escalate tensions and ensure the protection of civilians.

“We strongly urge the immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and for both sides to return to the de-escalatory measures outlined in the October 26 Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords signed by the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand and witnessed by President Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,” U.S. Secretary of State H.E. Marco Rubio stated on Dec. 9.

China, for its part, said that as a friend and close neighbour to both Cambodia and Thailand, it sincerely hopes that both sides exercise restraint and work in the same direction to prevent further escalation of the situation.

“China will continue to play a constructive role for de-escalation in its own way,” affirmed a message posted by Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Wang Wenbin.

Since Dec. 7, the Thai military has renewed attacks on Cambodian territory and expanded operations across multiple locations in Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Battambang, and Pursat provinces, using heavy weapons, F-16 fighter jets, and toxic gas. These attacks have reportedly caused civilian casualties, damaged homes, temples, and health centres, forced the closure of hundreds of schools, and displaced thousands of civilians along the border. Cambodia has no choice but to counterattack in self-defence against operations that violate its territorial integrity.

By C. Nika