Cambodia reaffirms commitment to mine clearance and new threats
Cambodia faces a double burden of old landmines and new explosive threats from recent conflicts.
Monday 2 November · 20:18 · 1 min read
In 30 seconds
- Cambodia remains committed to clearing legacy landmines and addressing new explosive threats. [1][2][3][4]
- A 2025 conflict with Thailand introduced new cluster munition threats across seven provinces, with newly affected areas being larger than remaining legacy contamination. [1][2][4]
- Cambodia is prioritizing strengthening surveys of new threats, continuing legacy mine clearance, and broadening funding sources, including private sector involvement. [3]
What happened
Cambodia's mine authority chaired a meeting reaffirming its commitment to clearing landmines and addressing new explosive threats. Over 3,600 square kilometers have been cleared in over 30 years, with 75% returned for agriculture. However, a 2025 conflict with Thailand introduced new cluster munition threats in seven provinces, with newly affected areas potentially larger than legacy contamination.
Why it matters
Cambodia faces a dual challenge of clearing decades-old landmines and newly introduced explosive threats. This dual burden requires continued international support to ensure land is safe for agriculture, construction, and investment.
Background
Cambodia has been heavily affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war due to past conflicts. Despite significant progress in clearance, new threats have emerged, creating a dual burden.
Key terms
- Landmines
- Explosive devices hidden in the ground that detonate when stepped on.
- Cluster munitions
- Weapons that release multiple smaller explosive bomblets over a wide area.
- Explosive remnants of war
- Unexploded bombs, shells, or other explosives left behind after a conflict.
Sources (4)
[1] Kohsantepheap Daily កម្ពុជាមិនបោះបង់បេសកកម្មបោសសម្អាតគ្រាប់មីនបន្សល់ពីសង្គ្រាមអតីតកាល ហើយក៏មិនព្រងើយកន្តើយចំពោះការគំរាមកំហែងថ្មី 2 Nov Read original [2] Kohsantepheap Daily កម្ពុជាត្រូវពុះពារនឹងមីនចាស់ និងសំណល់គ្រា.ប់បែ.កចង្កោមរបស់ថៃ 2 Nov Read original [3] The Phnom Penh Post Cambodia reiterates dedication to tackling legacy landmines, new explosive threats 2 Nov Read original [4] DAP News កម្ពុជា មិនបោះបង់ ការសម្អាតមីនសល់ពីសង្គ្រាម និងមិនព្រងើយកន្តើយ ការគំរាមកំហែងថ្មី 2 Nov Read originalWas this explainer clear?
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