Bangkok: Cambodia is facing a scandal involving the alleged use of soldiers' wives to assemble K-12 bullets and mortar rounds, raising concerns over violations of international humanitarian law. Reports have emerged that women, who should be protected during conflicts, are instead being drawn into military activities.
According to Thai News Agency, on December 9, 2025, the 2nd Army Region released news reports revealing images and videos of a Cambodian civilian woman involved in loading ammunition and assembling mortar rounds. Investigations discovered that this woman is the wife of a soldier stationed at Ta Kwai Temple. This revelation has sparked outrage as it signifies the involvement of women and children in warfare, contrary to international laws aimed at protecting civilians.
International Humanitarian Law explicitly states that civilians, particularly women and children, must be shielded from danger during conflicts and should not be used for combat purposes. This incident is seen as a breach of several key principles, including the principle of discrimination, which prohibits the involvement of civilians in military operations, and the principle of proportionality, which forbids actions that pose unnecessary risks to the public. Furthermore, the principle of caution in action demands that all parties in a conflict avoid endangering civilians, while the principle of civil protection requires that civilians remain outside operational areas.
These violations not only jeopardize the safety of women and children but also raise concerns at both regional and international levels. The use of civilians in military roles unnecessarily exposes them to harm and could escalate violence, turning non-combatants into victims of conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging Cambodia to adhere to humanitarian law and protect its civilians.