PHNOM PENH, Dec 21: Cambodia’s civilian death toll from the escalating border conflict with Thailand has climbed to 19, including an infant, with 79 others injured as clashes mark their 15th day, Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata announced Sunday.
The renewed hostilities, ignited on December 7 near disputed frontier areas, have inflicted heavy losses on both sides and triggered a massive humanitarian crisis, displacing over 510,000 residents who fled to safer shelters, according to the latest Ministry of Interior data reported as of 6 p.m. local time on December 20.
Lt. Gen. Socheata briefed reporters on the mounting casualties amid ongoing artillery exchanges and ground skirmishes, underscoring the urgent need for de-escalation as families endure profound trauma in the affected border regions.
