Phnom Penh, 12 January 2026 — Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has officially reported extensive damage to the Sacred Temple of Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, following artillery and aerial attacks by the Thai military during two periods in July and December 2025.

According to official damage assessments, 142 locations within the temple complex and 42 surrounding sites were damaged during attacks from 24–28 July 2025, while an additional 60 community locations were affected, forcing 14,832 residents to flee.

A second and more severe wave of attacks from 7–27 December 2025 caused widespread destruction across nearly all major structures, from Gopura I to Gopura V, including ancient causeways and the northern staircase. The Ministry confirmed the use of heavy artillery, drones, and fighter aircraft, directly impacting the World Heritage Site.

International conservation projects supported by the United States, India, and China suffered total destruction, halting restoration work and erasing years of preservation efforts.

Cambodia has submitted detailed damage reports and video evidence to UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee, and international partners, and is calling for urgent international action to protect the site and support emergency conservation.

The Ministry reaffirmed Cambodia’s demand for respect for international humanitarian law, including the 1954 Hague Convention, which prohibits attacks on cultural heritage during armed conflict.