Thai fighter jets drop two more bombs in Svay Chek district, Banteay Meanchey province
The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense said a few hours ago that Thai F-16 fighter jets dropped two more bombs in Svay Chek district, Banteay Meanchey province, bringing the number of Cambodian border provinces under continuous attack by the fighter jets, while Cambodia does not use weapons to counter the enemy’s air aggression.
The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense said that at 13:01 on December 21, the Thai military used fighter jets to drop two bombs in the area of Phkam commune, Svay Chek district, Banteay Meanchey province. The ministry did not yet confirm the number of victims from the bombing in Svay Chek district.
However, Cambodian forces are closely monitoring and standing firm, fighting fiercely against the aggressors to protect Cambodia’s territorial integrity at all costs.
In addition, on Sunday morning, Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata said that the Thai military is launching a military offensive against the Tam Moan Thom and Thmar Daun temples in Oddar Meanchey province using heavy weapons and tank-mounted weapons.
She stressed that the Thai military’s aggression against Cambodia is a brutal act, including the use of heavy and highly destructive weapons such as F-16 fighter jets, warships, all types of artillery, cluster bombs, and poison gas to attack Cambodia and civilians, violating the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and several international laws.
In this regard, Cambodia demands that the international community take measures to hold Thailand accountable for this flagrant violation of Cambodian sovereignty. And reaffirms Cambodia’s right to self-defense as stipulated in international law to protect the integrity of our territory and people at all costs.
She said: “The Thai military’s invasion of Cambodia has legally proven that Thailand has violated international law as a state that has destroyed peace and security, not only with Cambodia but also with the entire region, in order to fulfill its insatiable aggression against a country that is smaller and more fragile than itself.”
In this invasion operation, the Thai military used F-16 fighter jets to destroy Cambodia’s infrastructure at will, while Cambodia did not use anti-aircraft weapons to respond to the brazen air invasion.
This caused the Thai air force to expand its invasion position deeper into Cambodian territory, such as Thailand dropping cluster bombs and spraying poisonous smoke into the Preah Vihear temple area.
The Thai military dropped bombs on the O Chik bridge, the border of Chong Kal district, Oddar Meanchey province, and the border of Srey Snam district, Siem Reap province. Another bridge was destroyed in Pursat province, and yesterday, Thai F-16 fighter jets dropped five more bombs in Pursat province, destroying a private commercial building and a primary school in Thma Da commune, Veal Veng district.
The 15-day invasion has killed 19 Cambodian civilians, injured 79, and damaged 76 houses, schools, health centers, ancient temples, and other infrastructure.
The number of Cambodian refugees has increased to nearly 520,000 (518,611), including more than 270,000 (270,069) women and more than 160,000 (165,385) children.
Reference: Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia
Graphic & Article by bnccambodia