Her Excellency Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia, would like to inform the public and members of the national and international media outlets as follows:
On the morning of December 16, 2025, at the Ministry of National Defense, with the permission of His Excellency General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, H.E. LTG Rath Dararoth received a courtesy call and held working discussions with the Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), led by Mr. Jürg Montani, Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
During the meeting, Mr. Jurg Montani also shared information regarding the fourth visit to the 18 soldiers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces who had been captured by the Thai side on July 29, 2025, after the ceasefire agreement had taken effect. According to this fourth visit conducted by the ICRC, it was confirmed that all 18 Cambodian soldiers currently under the captivity of the Thai Military are safe and in good health. He further stated that he had delivered the fourth batch of family messages from the 18 detained soldiers to be forwarded to their families through the Cambodian Red Cross.
H.E. LTG Rath Dararoth called on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to continue to monitor and assess the well-being, safety and living conditions of the 18 soldiers, in accordance with international Humanitarian Law.
At the same time, H.E. Lieutenant General also called on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help urge the Thai military to immediately cease all hostilities, withdraw its forces from Cambodian sovereign territory, and avoid aggressive actions that threaten peace and stability in the region.
H.E. Lieutenant General also emphasized to the head of the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross that the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces has respected the Ceasefire arrangement and the Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand in full, honestly and in good faith.
The Ministry of National Defense has been and will continue to make tireless efforts, using all available mechanisms for Thai military to release and return our 18 soldiers as quickly and safely as possible.
The Royal Government and the Ministry of National Defense, and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces will never abandon any of our troops under any circumstances.
Based on the above information, the public, both national and international media outlets, are advised to be informed accordingly.
