Thailand Deploys F-16 Fighter Jets Deep into Cambodia, Targeting Civilian Areas

Thai forces intensified their military operations on Monday, December 22, by penetrating deep into Cambodian territory with F-16 fighter jets, bombing civilian sectors in the provinces of Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, and Banteay Meanchey.

According to a statement from the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence, these strikes targeted the O’Kontoeung area in Sre Noy commune, Varin district, Siem Reap at 4:18 p.m., followed by a bombing at 5:10 p.m. on Sa’em commune in Choam Khsant district, Preah Vihear, and then shells on Tuol Pongro village in Poipet at 5:25 p.m.. Concurrently, at 2:42 p.m., the Thai army fired at least 40 heavy artillery shells into border villages in Battambang province, one of the most intense barrages to date, escalating tensions despite a fragile ceasefire negotiated in July.​

Cambodian Official Reactions

Major General Maly Socheata, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, condemned these incursions as a blatant violation of Cambodian sovereignty during a press briefing. “Our forces remain firm and vigilant in protecting the Kingdom's territorial integrity, ready to defend our dignity with courage and without yielding to any intimidation,” she declared. Phnom Penh accuses Bangkok of deliberately targeting civilians and nearby cultural sites, including the Angkor temple in Siem Reap, a UNESCO World Heritage jewel.​

Thai Response and Justifications

For its part, the Thai army claims that the F-16 strikes and artillery fire target Cambodian military positions, such as weapons depots hidden in abandoned casinos or artillery bases threatening its territory. Bangkok cites initial Cambodian rocket fire and an operation named “Sattawat” to retake border localities, rejecting any accusations of civilian targeting. The Thai Ministry of Defence reports 34 civilians and 21 soldiers killed on its side, with over 400,000 displaced.​

Human Toll and Mass Displacements

The Cambodian Ministry of Interior reports a heavy toll: 20 civilians killed and 80 injured as of December 22 at 1:00 p.m., including a Chinese national wounded in an attack on a home in Battambang, bringing the total to at least 53 civilian deaths on both sides. Over 524,590 people have been displaced in Cambodia, including 166,884 children, while Thailand reports 400,000, with schools and hospitals closed along the border. These artillery attacks in Battambang damaged civilian homes, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.​

Context and International Reactions

This conflict, reignited on December 7 after a July ceasefire, pits the two countries over 817 km of disputed border, around sites like Preah Vihear. ASEAN, meeting urgently in Kuala Lumpur, urges an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” expressing “grave concerns” over civilian casualties and mass displacements, while China and the United States under President Donald Trump call for respect of the Kuala Lumpur agreements. Bilateral talks are scheduled for December 24, but hostilities persist, threatening regional stability.​