AKP Phnom Penh, December 21, 2025 —

Thai military forces continued their brutal and indiscriminate shelling of densely populated civilian areas and civilian infrastructure in Poipet city, Banteay Meanchey province, on Dec. 21.

According to the Ministry of National Defence, between 1:35 p.m. and 3:06 p.m., Thai forces fired 13 rounds of 155mm artillery into Sangkat Nimit. At 2:10 p.m., an additional 155mm artillery shell was fired into the same area.

From 2:18 p.m. to 3:07 p.m., Thai forces launched 14 mortar shells into Prey Kup village, Sangkat O’ Russey. At 2:30 p.m., six more 155mm artillery shells struck Prey Kup village, Sangkat O’ Russey. Further attacks followed at 3:25 p.m., when two mortar shells were fired into Sangkat O’ Russey.

The shelling continued later in the afternoon. At 4:04 p.m., two shells landed in the Sangkat Phsar Kandal, followed by three 155mm artillery shells fired at 4:40 p.m. into the northern side of the Stung Bot roundabout, Stung Bot village, Sangkat Phsar Kandal.

The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia strongly condemned what it described as brutal armed aggression violating Cambodia’s sovereignty. It stated that the Thai military’s indiscriminate shelling, carried out without regard for civilian lives, constitutes a grave assault on densely populated civilian areas and critical civilian infrastructure.

“We call on the international community to exert immediate pressure on Thailand to cease its grave violations of international law and egregious human rights abuses,” the ministry said, stressing the urgent need for Thailand to pursue a peaceful resolution.

As of the time of reporting, the situation has returned to calm, the Ministry underlined.

The Ministry of National Defence also advised citizens to rely on information from official sources and to cooperate fully with and comply with the instructions of local authorities.

By C. Nika