Cambodia Faces Widespread Unexploded Ordnance Threat After Border Conflict

One year after armed conflict along the Cambodia-Thailand border, Cambodian demining operators warn that explosive remnants of war left behind by the fighting continue to endanger civilians across seven provinces, with newly completed surveys identifying nearly 3,900 square kilometers of land contaminated by unexploded ordnance (UXO). The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) warned that the contamination remains one of the biggest obstacles to reconstruction and the safe return of displaced communities, despite a ceasefire that has been in effect for more than six months. CMAC director-general Heng Ratana outlined the agency’s achievements during the first half of 2026 while responding to what he described as the “crisis of explosive remnants of war from the Thai aggression”. In a July 25 social media post, Ratana explained that CMAC had completed extensive baseline surveys across seven border provinces — Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pursat, Siem Reap and Koh Kong — documenting the scale of contamination left behind by the conflict. “The results show 5,348 hazardous locations covering 387,206 hectares, or 3,872 square kilometers, with more than 18,500 pieces of physical evidence recorded,” he noted. The surveys, conducted in 22 districts, 60 communes and 335 villages, identified 265 bomb strike sites, 3,858 cluster munition strike sites and 1,401 locations contaminated by other UXOs. CMAC estimates that Thai forces fired approximately 120,000 to 130,000 individual 155mm cluster munition artillery shells during the conflict. According to Ratana, those shells dispersed an estimated six to seven million M42, M46 and M85 cluster submunitions. With an estimated 25 to 30 per cent failure rate, the shells have left potentially millions of unexploded bomblets scattered across border communities. He noted that the actual extent of the contamination could be even greater because survey teams have not yet been able to assess 14 villages and frontline combat zones along the border. Ratana said CMAC’s immediate priority has been to make communities safe enough for displaced residents to return home. “Priority clearance operations have supported the return of displaced families by clearing land around 5,911 houses, 87 schools, 20 health centres, six monasteries and 114 other infrastructure sites,” he said. During those operations between January and June, CMAC teams located and destroyed more than 8,400 pieces of unexploded ordnance, including 4,436 cluster munitions. The agency also expanded mine risk education, conducting 14,477 awareness sessions attended by more than 1.37 million people living in communities affected by the conflict. The findings come as Cambodia continues to grapple with the humanitarian consequences of the 2025 border conflict. The Ministry of Interior said on July 25 that 20,281 displaced people, including 10,331 women and 6,066 children, remain unable to return home, despite last year’s December 27 ceasefire. The ministry reported preliminary damage to 1,558 houses, 26 schools, 14 hospitals and health centres, 19 pagodas, four ancient temples, 87 road sections, five bridges, 39 mobile phone towers and other public infrastructure. Ratana said CMAC would continue clearing contaminated areas as security conditions permitted.