(Phnom Penh): Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Under Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia, confirmed that following fierce and swift combat by Cambodia’s heroic armed forces against Thai troops, Cambodian forces successfully took control of Ta Krabei Temple, the Emerald Triangle area, and Ta Moan Thom Temple under Cambodia’s sovereignty.

Maly Socheata spoke on Thursday (Jul. 24) during a press conference hosted by the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit in response to the escalating armed clashes along the Cambodia–Thailand border.

She said that through determined and forceful resistance, Cambodia’s armed forces fully recaptured Ta Krabei Temple at 9:30 a.m., reclaiming 100 percent of the site, which she described as rightful Cambodian territory. She added that the Emerald Triangle area had also been successfully secured. As of that time, Cambodian forces maintained an upper hand and held their ground. Regarding Ta Moan Thom Temple, the site where the conflict first erupted, Cambodia remained in full control and had not retreated by even a single step.

On 24 July 2025, the Thai military launched offensives at eight locations using heavy weaponry and F-16 fighter jets. The targeted sites included Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Krabei Temple, Phnom Troap, Veal Intri (Eagle Field), Ta Thav, Phnom Khmoach (Ghost Mountain), An Seh O’ Phka Sneh, and Emerald Triangle area.

She further emphasised that Thai military operations extended beyond Cambodian military positions, also targeting civilian areas. This led to the displacement of local residents, who fled their homes in fear, seeking safety amid growing panic and distress.

Condemning what she described as brutal and inhumane actions by Thai forces, Maly Socheata mentioned that the Ministry of National Defence had released an official statement denouncing Thailand’s aggression. The ministry also called on the international community to fully and strongly condemn what she labelled as blatant acts of armed provocation.

According to the Ministry of National Defence, Thai forces violated prior agreements at around 06:30 a.m. by advancing onto Ta Moan Thom Temple in Oddar Meanchey province. Thai troops infiltrated the temple base, deployed a drone at 07:04 a.m., and opened live fire at 08:30 a.m. By 08:46 a.m., Thai forces launched a direct assault on Cambodian troops stationed at Ta Moan Thom Temple, expanding attacks to Ta Krabei Temple, Phnom Kmoch, and later into the Emerald Triangle area. Thai military aircraft reportedly dropped two bombs along the road to Keosikha Kirisvarak Pagoda, a strategic point where Cambodian forces are defending national territory in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces.

At 08:47 a.m., Cambodian armed forces were left with no option but to exercise their right to self-defence within their sovereign territory in response to the blatant military incursion by Thai troops.
=FRESH NEWS