CMAA’s Instruction on Safety Measures for Mine Action Operations and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education during Thai Military Incursions
AKP Phnom Penh, December 26, 2025 -- The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has issued a notification on “Strengthening Safety Measures for Mine Action Operations and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education During the Thai Military Incursions into Cambodia” to prevent and mitigate potential risks to mine action personnel and displaced civilians.
The full notification released this afternoon reads as follows:
“Since the beginning of the illegal incursions by the Thai military into Cambodia, occurring from 24 to 28 July 2025 and from 7 December 2025 onward, the Thai armed forces have repeatedly used heavy weaponry against civilian areas, constituting violations of the ceasefire agreement of 28 July 2025, the Kuala Lumpur Joint Statement of 26 October 2025, the Charter of the United Nations, the ASEAN Charter, and core principles of international law.
The use of such weaponry during these incursions has resulted in numerous civilian deaths and injuries, widespread destruction of property and public infrastructure, including health centres, schools, pagodas, and ancient temples, and has forced over 200 thousand families to flee their homes to multiple safe locations across several provinces. Furthermore, these incursions have disrupted humanitarian mine clearance operations, particularly affecting more than 900 demining personnel and their families, who have been compelled to relocate to safer areas.
In the context of the continued efforts of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, guided by determination, patriotism, the protection of national interests, to address the challenges arising from the Thai military incursions, and in pursuit of peace, safety, and social harmony, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) hereby issues the following instructions to mine action operators to prevent and mitigate potential risks to mine action personnel and displaced civilians.
1. Continue to give the highest priority to the safety of their personnel and ensure that no staff member continues to work in situations where there is a risk to life or physical safety.
2. Continue to pay special attention to personnel whose families reside in high-risk areas or designated safety zones.
3. Immediately suspend all survey, clearance, and explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) in areas exposed to security risks arising from the Thai military incursions.
4. Submit an immediate request to the CMAA for changes to minefields designated for clearance if they are located in areas at risk due to the Thai military incursions.
5. Continue to conduct EORE activities highlighting the dangers of cluster munitions and other ordnance used by the Thai military, targeting civilians currently residing in designated safe areas, to minimise risks from explosive remnants of war when they return home after normalcy and peace are restored.
6. Continue to maintain close cooperation and partnership with local authorities at all levels in marking hazardous areas containing explosive ordnance fired or dropped by the Thai military, or transferring ordnance to safe locations (for evidence) or disposing of it as required, to ensure the safety of civilians and local personnel and prevent accidental risks, and continue to provide support upon the request of local authorities.
7. Continue to cooperate closely with the Provincial Mine Action Committees and Mine Action Provincial Units in mine clearance, explosive ordnance risk education, and victim assistance activities.
8. Regularly monitor developments related to Thai military attacks through information provided by relevant national ministries and institutions, in order to ensure the effective implementation of the above measures.
In this regard, all Heads of Mine Action Operator Organisations are requested to cooperate fully and implement these measures with a high sense of responsibility.

Phnom Penh, 26 December 2025”





