Border Conflict & Testimony: “Losing My Husband Is the Greatest Wound of My Life”

“Losing my husband is the greatest wound of my life. He was not only a good husband, but also the head of our family and a strong pillar for our children.” Mrs. Oum Saroeuy, 49, still lives in Koul Village, Popel Commune, Soutr Nikom District, Siem Reap Province. She is the wife of Lieutenant Colonel Uong Vibol, the heroic soldier who fell on the battlefield of Ta Krabey Temple on December 9, 2025. This is the story she shared with us.

Oum Saroeuy and Lieutenant Colonel Uong Vibol — © Uong Vibol family

A Son of Takeo Who Became a Soldier

My husband, Lieutenant Colonel Uong Vibol, was 55 years old. He was born in Andong Samrith Village, Thlea Prachum Commune, Koh Andet District, in Takeo Province. His father, Khiev Uong, and his mother, Nhou Lang, have both since passed away. The youngest of seven children — five sisters and two brothers — he attended school in his home village up to the 8th grade.

Uong Vibol joined the military of the People's Republic of Kampuchea in 1985. After completing his training in military strategy, his superiors posted him to Koh Andet District, his home province, for two years. He was then sent on assignment to Koul Village, Popel Commune, Soutr Nikom District, Siem Reap Province — the very village where I live, and where we met.

A Love Story Born More Than Thirty Years Ago

Our story began more than thirty years ago, when Uong Vibol was posted to Koul. We were only acquaintances at first, but day by day we grew closer, until a sincere love blossomed between us.

We later told our families about our relationship. Seeing how genuine our love was, the elders gave their blessing, and we held a traditional Khmer wedding in 1995. Since then, we have lived with my family in Koul Village.

Over more than thirty years of marriage, we built a happy family and had four children — three sons and one daughter: Vibol Vichet, 30, married; Vibol Socheat, 27, single; Vibol Veasna, 25, single; and Vibol Vichara, 22, married.

My husband was a gentle, polite and humble man who never boasted. Kind-hearted, he loved his wife and children deeply, took part willingly in religious ceremonies, and showed sincere respect to relatives on both sides of our family. As head of the household, he worked tirelessly to provide for us and to secure a better future for our children.

From Siem Reap to the Ta Krabey Front

Around 2010, my husband was transferred by his commanders to the 5th Intervention Brigade of the 2nd Intervention Division, stationed in Banteay Ampil District, Oddar Meanchey Province. After years of tireless physical and mental dedication in service of the nation, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the 5th Intervention Brigade, holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

During the first armed clash between Cambodia and Thailand on July 24, 2025, my husband was sent by the brigade's command to the front line at Ta Krabey Temple. He was placed in charge of the heavy weapons unit, essential to defending the 5th Brigade's positions. Even amid the extreme tension of the situation, he always found a moment to call and reassure me. Every time we spoke, he would say: “Don't worry, honey. I'm fine here. I'm doing my duty and staying careful.” Those words gave me the strength to believe he would come home safely to us.

After that first conflict ended on July 29, 2025, my husband came home twice: once for the Pchum Ben festival, between September 14 and 16, 2025, and again between November 21 and 23, 2025, to have his photo taken for his renewed national identity card.

The Day That Changed Everything

When the second armed clash between Cambodia and Thailand broke out at 6:50 a.m. on December 8, 2025, my husband called to tell me heavy fighting had reached his position. He asked me not to try to reach him, as it was too dangerous, and promised he would call me back himself once things had calmed down.

After that call, I was overwhelmed with worry. I could think of nothing but his safety, knowing he was carrying out his mission in a combat zone, in command of a heavy weapons unit.

The following morning, December 9, 2025, I received the most devastating news of my life. The command of the 5th Intervention Brigade informed me that my husband had given his life on a national defense mission. An enemy F-16 fighter jet had dropped two bombs on his position at the Ta Krabey Temple battlefield, killing him along with seven of his fellow soldiers. When I heard the news, I nearly lost consciousness; I could not accept such a painful reality. Had my children not been by my side to comfort and encourage me, I do not know how I would have survived that ordeal.

Bringing Him Home

Because of the extensive destruction at the Ta Krabey Temple battlefield, searching for and recovering my husband's remains proved extremely difficult. At first, our family was unable to retrieve his body to hold a traditional Khmer funeral. A first funeral ceremony was therefore held on December 19, 2025, without his remains.

On February 15, 2026, First Lady Dr. Pich Chanmony, together with leaders of the Cambodian government, the Siem Reap Provincial Administration, and generous philanthropists, visited us to check on our well-being and offer their deepest condolences. Later, two of my sons traveled to the site where their father had fallen. There they found bone fragments and pieces of clothing they recognized as his, and brought them home.

After these remains and surviving garments were returned, our family held a second funeral ceremony on March 3, 2026, to dedicate merit to my husband's soul one final time.

“Preserving His Honor as a Precious Legacy”

Losing my husband is the greatest wound of my life. He was not only a good husband, but also the head of our family and a strong pillar for our children.

Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the leadership, to authorities at every level, and to all the philanthropists who have shown care and support for my family during this difficult time. I also respectfully appeal to the leadership and relevant institutions to continue supporting the families of heroic soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the motherland.

In losing my husband, I have lost the strong pillar of our family, and we will face many hardships ahead. But I will strive to carry on and lead my family, preserving my husband's honor and achievements as a precious legacy. I want future generations to remember that my husband was a man who bravely gave his life to serve his country and protect his people.