(Phnom Penh): The Royal Government of Cambodia has strongly condemned Thai military forces for a violent cross-border incursion that left at least 24 Cambodian civilians and Buddhist monks injured in Ou Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province.

According to the spokesperson, at approximately 3:44 p.m. on 17 September 2025, Thai armed forces and anti-riot police, equipped with batons, shields, and various tactical equipment, again encroached into Cambodian territory at Prey Chan Village, Ou Beichoan commune, Ou Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province. Their objective was reportedly to seize farmland long inhabited and cultivated by local Cambodian communities.

In defense of their land, villagers confronted the Thai troops and forced them to retreat.

The situation escalated when Thai forces reportedly fired rubber bullets and smoke grenades directly at unarmed civilians. Victims suffered from eye irritation, physical pain, and hearing damage caused by high-decibel sound devices allegedly used by the Thai side. The violence intensified further with the use of additional rubber pellet rounds and crowd-control equipment, injuring at least 24 individuals, including monks. Some injuries were reported as serious.

Cambodian joint security forces, armed and stationed nearby, acted with restraint and professionalism. The spokesperson emphasized that they adhered strictly to ceasefire agreements and international principles for peaceful conflict resolution, avoiding retaliation despite the violence.

Local authorities provided immediate emergency aid, dispatching ambulances to transport the seriously wounded to hospital for urgent medical attention.
=FRESH NEWS