The Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia has confirmed that an armed clash between Cambodian and Thai troops broke out along the Cambodia–Thailand border in Oddar Meanchey province on the morning of July 24. Local residents and military personnel stationed along the frontier reported that Thai forces employed heavy weaponry in attacks targeting the Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabei temple areas in Oddar Meanchey. In addition, Thai troops have launched and continue to carry out assaults from positions near the Preah Vihear temple.
The confrontation follows Thailand’s downgrade of diplomatic relations with Cambodia, marked by the aggressive expulsion of Cambodian diplomats from Thai territory on July 23, 2025. The Thai side also issued accusations against Cambodia after several of its soldiers were injured by stepping on an old, unexploded landmine while allegedly violating the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding by crossing into Cambodian territory.
In response to what it described as an unprovoked incursion and a breach of Cambodia’s territorial integrity; the Ministry of National Defense stated that Cambodian forces have been instructed to act strictly within the framework of self-defense.
