Cambodia Flies More Than 250 Drones Into Thailand, Breaking Newly Signed Ceasefire

Thailand’s army on Dec. 28–29 accused Cambodia of breaching a newly signed ceasefire after detecting more than 250 unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Cambodian territory into Thailand late on Sunday night.

“Thailand's army on Monday accused Cambodia of violating a newly signed ceasefire agreement, reached after weeks of deadly border clashes, by flying more than 250 drones over its territory”

Asharq Al-awsat - English

The military called the drone flights a provocation and a violation of measures agreed at a recent bilateral border meeting.

Asharq Al-awsat - English

It said the incursion was inconsistent with the Joint Statement reached during ceasefire talks and that both sides were discussing the incident through diplomatic channels.

The allegation followed weeks of deadly border clashes that have killed dozens and displaced large numbers of civilians.

The drone allegations came just days after the two sides agreed an "immediate" ceasefire on Dec. 27 during China-hosted talks aimed at halting reinforcements and freezing frontline positions so civilians could return home.

Multiple reports noted international diplomatic involvement, saying the truce was negotiated with backing from both China and the United States.

BBC

The Joint Statement included commitments on freezing troop movements and cooperating on demining and cybercrime.

The ceasefire was described in some reports as a breakthrough, even as questions linger about its durability following the drone incident.

Cambodia’s official response, reported across outlets, downplayed the incident and called it a 'small issue,' with Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn saying it would be investigated and resolved immediately.

“Thailand’s army on Monday accused Cambodia of violating a freshly signed ceasefire agreement by flying more than 250 drones across the border, just a day after both sides pledged to halt hostilities following weeks of deadly clashes”

Firstpost

Phnom Penh told Thai counterparts that similar drone sightings had been seen on both sides, while Thailand’s military described the flights as a provocation and said the incursions were inconsistent with the joint measures.

Both sides reportedly agreed to discuss and investigate the episode through diplomatic channels.

Thai officials warned the drone sightings could have concrete consequences.

Bangkok called the activity a provocation and warned it might reconsider a previous decision to release 18 Cambodian soldiers detained since July if violations continued.

France 24

Observers and local outlets said the incident casts doubt on the durability of the truce and risks undermining the confidence-building measures agreed at the China-hosted talks.

The Thai military framed the drone flights as inconsistent with the Joint Statement and pledged diplomatic engagement to resolve the dispute.

Weeks of deadly clashes have displaced large numbers of people.

“Photo: Associated Press Translated by: Flutura Gashi-Mehmeti December 29, 2025 12:43 Share to: Thailand's military has accused Cambodia of violating a newly signed ceasefire agreement, reached after weeks of deadly fighting that forced nearly a million people to flee their homes”

KOHA.net

Many sources cite nearly or over one million displaced, and the fighting stems from a conflict with deep roots and earlier flare-ups this year.

KOHA.net

Coverage diverges in emphasis: some outlets foreground the humanitarian toll and displacement, others highlight diplomatic mediation and a fragile breakthrough, and a few note incomplete or missing reporting from certain outlets.

Where information is ambiguous or incomplete — for example, Firstpost and News.Az snippets provided no substantive article text — reports caution that investigations and diplomatic exchanges are ongoing and that details remain to be clarified.