Khmer Times reported today that Cambodia recorded an additional 9 civilian deaths from Thai attacks on 25/12, bringing the total conflict-related fatalities in the country to 30.

Cambodia's Ministry of Interior stated that Thai forces conducted a series of military actions throughout 25/12, firing and dropping various munitions on residential areas. The Royal Thai Air Force reportedly struck deeper into Cambodian territory, targeting locations approximately 170 km from the border.

Nearly 100 people suffered injuries from the intense Thai shelling. Approximately 640,000 Cambodians have been displaced as the fighting shows no signs of abating. The Ministry of Interior warned that these figures could escalate with continued attacks.

Thai army shelling Cambodian territory on 16/12. *Photo: AP*

The Thai government on 25/12 accused Cambodia of continuing to use heavy weapons against civilian areas. Colonel Kannanat Pornnipatkul, assistant spokesperson for the Thai military, reported that Cambodia fired approximately 40 BM-21 rockets into Ban Klong Pang village in Sa Kaeo province early that morning.

Kannanat added that since the conflict re-erupted, Cambodia has attacked at least 150 Thai residential areas with rockets and artillery shells. These assaults damaged 190 homes, a hospital, two schools, and numerous other structures.

"We have condemned these attacks and reported them to the international community, yet Cambodia persists. This clearly demonstrates that Cambodia targets not only military forces but also Thai residential areas", Colonel Kannanat stated.

Phnom Penh had also previously accused Bangkok of attacking Cambodian residential areas with heavy weapons and F-16 fighter jets. Thailand maintains that all its actions are defensive and a response to Cambodian attacks.

The fighting between the two nations continued even as the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Committee Secretariat convened at the Prom-Pak Kard border crossing, situated between the border provinces of Pailin and Chanthaburi. On the meeting's second day on 25/12, the Secretariat pursued discussions aimed at securing a ceasefire, restoring stability between the countries, and facilitating a return to normalcy.

Thanh Tam (According to Khmer Times, Bangkok Post)