(Phnom Penh) Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Under Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, confirmed that Thailand’s military aggression has targeted not only Cambodian military positions but also civilian areas. The Ministry reported that in several regions, civilians have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in safer locations.

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.

“Thailand did not only target Cambodian military sites. Their attacks extended into areas where civilians reside. We have observed that in several locations, residents are fleeing in fear, facing extreme distress and panic due to Thai military strikes on civilian areas,” Maly Socheata underscored.

Regarding these attacks on civilians, she confirmed that the Ministry of National Defence has issued successive statements condemning Thailand’s brutal and unlawful incursions. She further urged the international community to strongly denounce Thailand’s actions.

At the same time, she affirmed that the Ministry will continue working with international partners to hold Thailand accountable and push for an immediate end to its hostile behaviour. Cambodia demands that Thailand withdraw its troops from Cambodian territory and refrain from any further actions that may escalate tensions.

She also called on the public to remain calm, not to panic, and to continue their daily lives as usual. On behalf of the Ministry and the armed forces, she pledged unwavering commitment to defending Cambodia’s sovereignty, stating that not even a single millimetre of territory would be relinquished.

Maly Socheata reaffirmed Cambodia’s position that the use of armed force by Cambodian troops was a last resort, exercised only in defence of national sovereignty against Thai aggression. She stressed that Cambodia’s military actions were strictly focused on military targets and not directed at civilian populations.
=FRESH NEWS