A decades-old battlefield remnant brings devastating consequences to a remote village in Cambodia's Siem Reap province.
According to The Guardian, two toddlers, Muo Lisa and Thum Yen, lost their lives when they accidentally detonated a rocket-propelled grenade near their homes in the Svay Leu district on Saturday.
The tragic incident occurred while the children's parents were working on their farms, unaware of the deadly war remnant buried in the vicinity of their homes. The area, now a settlement, was once a fierce battleground during the 1980s and 1990s, where government forces clashed with Khmer Rouge guerrillas.
Ongoing threat of unexploded ordnance persists
The rocket-propelled grenade that claimed the young victims' lives was identified by the Cambodian Mine Action Center through fragment analysis. The device, estimated to be over 25 years old, represents just one of the millions of unexploded munitions scattered across Cambodia's countryside during nearly three decades of conflict.
The deteriorating condition of these aging explosives poses an escalating risk to civilians. As time passes, the explosive contents become increasingly unstable, making them more dangerous than when they were initially deployed.
Heng Ratana, director general of the Cambodian Mine Action Center, expressed his grief over the incident. He stated:
Their parents went to settle on land that was a former battlefield, and they were not aware that there were any land mines or unexploded ordnance buried near their homes. It's a pity because they were too young and they should not have died like this.
International aid and demining efforts face challenges
Cambodia's demining operations have garnered international recognition, with their expertise being sought after globally. Thousands of Cambodian deminers have contributed their skills to United Nations missions across Africa and the Middle East over the past decade.
Recent developments in U.S. foreign assistance have impacted Cambodia's demining initiatives. A temporary suspension of financial aid affected operations in eight provinces due to President Donald Trump's 90-day freeze on foreign assistance.
The situation has since improved, with Washington issuing a waiver for the $6.36 million aid package, which covers operations from March 2022 to November 2025. This funding restoration ensures the continuation of crucial demining efforts.
Death toll reflects Cambodia's enduring war legacy
The devastating impact of unexploded ordnance continues to plague Cambodia long after the cessation of hostilities. An estimated 4 to 6 million land mines and other explosive devices were left behind following the conflicts that spanned from 1970 to 1998.
These deadly remnants have claimed nearly 20,000 lives and injured approximately 45,000 people since the end of the fighting. While casualty numbers have decreased over time, with 49 deaths recorded last year, each incident serves as a stark reminder of war's lasting consequences.
Heng Ratana powerfully summarized the situation:
The war is completely over and there is fully peace for more than 25 years, but the blood of the Khmer people continues to flow because of the remnants of land mines and ammunition.
Tragedy strikes peaceful village amid ongoing clearance efforts
The deaths of Muo Lisa and Thum Yen in Siem Reap province's Svay Leu district highlight the persistent danger of unexploded ordnance in Cambodia. The rocket-propelled grenade that claimed their lives was one of millions of explosive devices left behind from conflicts between government forces and Khmer Rouge guerrillas. Despite extensive demining efforts and international support, including recently restored U.S. funding of $6.36 million, the threat of these deadly war remnants continues to endanger civilian lives across the country.
