Phnom penh: Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen has directed the military to prepare for combat operations and has canceled a mission intended to command the war, citing allegations that Thailand initiated multiple attacks aimed at undermining the peace agreement.
According to Thai News Agency, Hun Sen communicated via Facebook, setting a clear deadline for potential retaliation. He instructed military commanders at every level to deliver clear and thorough directives to their subordinates and soldiers. Hun Sen has suspended all appointments to join Prime Minister Hun Manet in commanding the Pucha Forces, asking both domestic and international guests who cannot meet him during this time to understand the situation. He encouraged Cambodian athletes preparing for the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand to continue with their participation as planned.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense issued a statement from Lt. Gen. Malee Socheata, the ministry’s spokesman, informing the public and media about the confrontations with Thailand. The statement claimed that at 5:04 a.m., the Thai military initiated an attack on Cambodian forces in Preah Vihear Province, followed by continuous tank fire on the Ta Muen Thom temple and surrounding areas. This attack was said to follow several days of provocative actions by the Thai military.
The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense asserted its commitment to honoring all previous agreements and resolving the conflict peacefully, in accordance with international law. The ministry stated that Cambodia has refrained from responding and is observing the situation carefully. The incident has been reported to the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) for the second time, and preparations are underway to request an AOT investigation to ensure transparency and fairness.
In response to the Thai Army’s claims that Cambodia initiated the attack, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense issued another statement disputing these allegations. The statement accused Thailand of launching the heavy weapons attack early this morning, following several provocations. The ministry also labeled various images from the Thai Army’s posts as “Fake News.”