Phnom penh: Over 1,000 schools across seven provinces bordering Thailand have been forced to close as of December 17, due to ongoing indiscriminate attacks by Thai forces. This development has significantly disrupted the education of 254,480 students and affected 11,922 teachers, as reported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports on Wednesday.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Ministry of Interior released a report indicating that the number of displaced civilians has surged to 447,509. The civilian death toll currently stands at 17, including an infant, with 77 others sustaining injuries. The escalation of violence began on December 7, when the Thai military renewed its attacks on Cambodian territory, employing heavy weaponry, F-16 fighter jets, artillery, and toxic gas.
These aggressive operations have resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction of homes, temples, and health centers, leading to mass displacement. In response, Cambodia has asserted its right to self-defense to protect its territorial integrity after demonstrating more than 24 hours of maximum restraint in the face of the attacks.