A Don Bosco Poipet student in a refugee camp.

A Thai F‑16 fighter jet dropped multiple bombs on a civilian area of Poipet City on Thursday morning, in one of the most serious escalations of the ongoing Cambodia–Thailand border conflict, Cambodian authorities said and according to Al Arabiya English, CNA and South China Morning Post.

The strike, which occurred at around 11:00 a.m., hit Phsar Kandal Village in Poipet Municipality, Banteay Meanchey Province, damaging a warehouse and injuring at least two civilians, according to Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior. The attack took place roughly 10 kilometres from Don Bosco School Poipet, where Salesian staff reported hearing both reconnaissance drones and the sound of the fighter jets moments before the explosions.

The Cambodian Ministry of Defence stated that Thai forces “dropped two bombs in the area of Poipet Municipality” during renewed clashes along the border, according to Al Arabiya English and CNA. Independent reports from regional media also confirmed the use of F‑16 aircraft in the strike, wrote South China Morning Post.

The bombing comes amid a sharp escalation in fighting that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the border, with international observers calling for restraint and immediate de‑escalation, wrote Al Arabiya English and South China Morning Post.

Calls for Thailand to Halt Attacks on Civilian Areas

Cambodia has condemned the airstrike as a violation of international law and urged Thailand to cease all attacks on civilian zones. The Cambodian government said the bombing of a populated area “cannot be justified under any circumstances” and called for renewed diplomatic engagement to prevent further loss of life.

International actors, including the EU and regional partners, have previously urged both sides to halt hostilities and respect civilian protection norms, said kiripost.com.

Concerns Over Misinformation on Social Media

Local authorities and humanitarian groups have warned that misinformation and unverified claims circulating on social media are worsening public fear and confusion. Residents in Poipet and surrounding districts have reported difficulty distinguishing verified updates from fabricated content.

Community leaders have urged the public to rely on official government statements and trusted news sources.

Salesian Response: Prayer, Solidarity, and Emergency Support

The Salesian community in Cambodia has expressed deep concern over the attack, noting its proximity to Don Bosco School Poipet. Two Salesians and four staff members were present on campus when the explosions occurred and reported hearing the drones and jets overhead.

Salesian houses across Cambodia—including Phnom Penh, Kep, Sihanoukville, and Battambang—have launched emergency fundraising efforts to support families of students displaced by the conflict. Many families from Poipet, Oddar Meanchey, and Preah Vihear have fled their homes and are now sheltering in pagodas, schools, or makeshift camps.

The Salesian world has been asked to join in prayer for peace, justice, and the protection of all civilians, especially children caught in the conflict.

Humanitarian Situation Worsens

The December airstrike is part of a broader escalation that has seen repeated artillery exchanges, air raids, and mass displacement. Reports indicate that renewed fighting this month has killed dozens and displaced up to 800,000 people across both countries, wrote Al Arabiya English and South China Morning Post.

Local schools, including Don Bosco institutions, are preparing contingency plans to support affected students with food, transport, and emergency assistance.