(Phnom Penh): Ly Thuch, First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), urged the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to continue monitoring the conditions of the 18 Cambodian soldiers currently being detained by Thai authorities. He also called on Thailand to fulfil its commitment to release them promptly.
The appeal was made on 1 December 2025, during a bilateral working meeting between Gilles Carbonnier, Vice President of the ICRC, on the sidelines of the 22nd Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, held in Geneva, Switzerland.
The CMAA first vice president expressed sincere gratitude to the ICRC for its cooperation and support in advocating for the release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers, who were unlawfully apprehended and are being held under Thai military custody. He further requested the ICRC to continue monitoring their conditions and to push for their swift and safe release so that they may reunite with their families.
In response, the ICRC vice president affirmed that the ICRC will continue to monitor the wellbeing of the Cambodian soldiers and committed to ongoing engagement with all relevant parties on the matter.
December 2, 2025 marks 126 days since 18 Cambodian soldiers were captured and detained by the Thai military. The Royal Government of Cambodia calls on Thailand to fully and sincerely uphold the Joint Statement on Peaceful Settlement, particularly Article 5, which requires the immediate release of all 18 soldiers.
Cambodia urges Thailand to respect its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and to ensure the safe and prompt return of the detained soldiers to their families.
The Royal Government of Cambodia reaffirms its firm commitment to pursue all diplomatic and legal measures necessary to secure the urgent and safe release of the 18 hero soldiers. The government, the Ministry of National Defence, and the RCAF stand united in their principle that no Cambodian soldier will ever be left behind.
=FRESH NEWS
