The General Department of Prisons (GDP) of Cambodia began evacuating 1,066 inmates, including 67 women, from a detention facility in the border province of Oddar Meanchey on the evening of 8/12, concluding early the next morning. Officials stated the evacuation was conducted securely and without incident.

A total of 32 vehicles and 221 personnel were mobilized to transfer inmates to Siem Reap provincial prison. The Oddar Meanchey detention facility is only about 50 km from the Thai border.

According to the GDP, the evacuation aimed to avoid danger after bombs and artillery shells landed near the Oddar Meanchey prison.

Inmates were evacuated from Oddar Meanchey provincial prison to the facility in Siem Reap on the night of 8/12. *Photo: GDP*

Chhorn Sanath, head of the GDP, stated that the Oddar Meanchey facility faces high risks due to "aggressive actions such as shelling and bombing". He added, "The situation requires an urgent response".

Sanath emphasized that prison officials are closely monitoring the security situation in Banteay Meanchey province, noting that prisons there are located near the front lines of Cambodian forces. "This is our second priority location", he said.

This marks the second prisoner evacuation from Oddar Meanchey this year. In July, the GDP transferred over 1,000 inmates to Siem Reap when clashes escalated between Cambodia and Thailand. These inmates returned in September, but new fighting forced officials to evacuate them again for safety.

Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand re-erupted into clashes on 7/12, when soldiers from both countries exchanged gunfire along the disputed border, leading to subsequent engagements. Since early July, over 50 people, including civilians and soldiers, on both sides have died in the fighting.

Cambodia's Ministry of Defense stated that over 101,000 people have been evacuated since the clashes re-erupted. Thailand also announced the evacuation of over 180,000 people during the same period.

Huyen Le (According to Khmer Times, AFP)