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Cambodia Alerts International Community Over Use of Cluster Munitions Against Civilians

Terry Felix​​​​   On December 16, 2025 - 9:00 am​   In Asia Pacific  
Cambodia Alerts International Community Over Use of Cluster Munitions Against Civilians Cambodia Alerts International Community Over Use of Cluster Munitions Against Civilians

Phnom Penh, 15 December 2025 — The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has formally drawn the attention of the international community to grave humanitarian and legal concerns arising from the use of cluster munitions by Thai military forces in civilian areas of Cambodia, in a communication addressed to H.E. Mr. Thongsavan Phomvihane, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR and President of the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM).

In the official letter, Cambodia underscored that Thai military operations during the incursions of 24–28 July 2025 and the renewed aggression beginning on 7 December 2025 involved the deployment of cluster munitions in populated areas, resulting in civilian casualties, mass displacement, and widespread fear and suffering.

The CMAA highlighted a tragic incident following the July incursion, in which a young Cambodian child was killed by an unexploded submunition left behind by a cluster bomb allegedly deployed by Thai forces. The Authority emphasized that cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate, leaving behind lethal unexploded ordnance that continues to threaten civilians—particularly children, farmers, and other vulnerable groups—long after hostilities have ceased.

According to reports from the 4th Military Region of the Cambodian Armed Forces, further deployments of cluster munitions were recorded during the ongoing aggression:

  • 13 December 2025, at 05:45 a.m. — Cluster munitions were reportedly deployed in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear Temple.
  • 14 December 2025, at 03:10 a.m. — Cluster munitions were again deployed in the same area.

While noting that Thailand is not a State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Cambodia stressed that the use of such weapons in civilian areas constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law, given their indiscriminate nature, long-lasting dangers, and disproportionate impact on civilian populations.

Cambodia formally called upon the President of the CCM and the wider Convention community to:

  • Condemn the use of cluster munitions in civilian areas;
  • Highlight the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of such weapons; and
  • Advocate strict adherence to international humanitarian law by all parties, regardless of treaty status.

The Cambodian authorities reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, civilian protection, and humanitarian principles, urging the international community to raise awareness, condemn acts of aggression, and support concrete measures to prevent further use of cluster munitions against civilians.

Cambodia emphasized that reinforcing the global norm against cluster munitions is essential to safeguarding civilian lives and preserving the integrity and purpose of the Convention.

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