Phnom Penh: The body of the Cambodian Blue Hat Army, Lieutenant Colonel Phoeuk Chivoan, who served as the Deputy Commander of the 729th Airport Engineering Squadron, who lost his life in Mali, has been repatriated to Cambodia. The body of Lieutenant Colonel Phoeuk Chivoan was delivered to the Cambodia International Airport at more than 12 midnight on February 28, 2023. The death of Lieutenant Colonel Phoeuk Chivoan has led to the death toll of Cambodian troops in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations umbrella increased by 11 by the beginning of 2023. Lieutenant Colonel Phoeuk Chivoan, 42, died on February 9, 2023 due to respiratory illness. The reception for Lieutenant Colonel Phoeuk Chivoan was held in the presence of the Director General of the National Peacekeeping Center, General Sem Sovanny, a representative of Samdech Pich Sena Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, and the leadership of the National Peacekeeping Center, along with their parents. Wives, children and many relatives.
The funeral of Lieutenant Colonel Phoeuk Chivoan was organized in the traditional Buddhist style as well as in the military style by the military parade to honor the honor and bravery of the army in the cause of the motherland and the patron saint. Peace with the United Nations in a war-torn country before being sent home for traditional ceremonies. The house of Lieutenant Colonel Phoeuk Chivoan is located in Trapeang Samreth Village, Sangkat Kong Noy, Khan Dangkor, Phnom Penh.
On that occasion, General Sem Sovanny expressed his condolences and shared with the family of the body of Lieutenant Colonel Phoeuk Chivoan, who lost his life while carrying out a humanitarian mission under the auspices of the United Nations in Mali.
Please be informed that the body of Lieutenant Colonel Phoeuk Chivoan passed away on February 9, 2023 at 22:50 in TOGO Level 2 Hospital. The body of Lieutenant Colonel Phoeuk Chivoan was discharged from Kidal on February 13, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. and arrived in Bamako at 3:00 p.m.
On 16 February 2023, the MINUSMA venue in Bamako hosted a memorial service for Cambodian and Sri Lankan Blue Hat soldiers with the participation of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Acting forces, senior UN officials, officers representing countries in the mission area, as well as leaders in the Malian government.
According to the report, as of 2023, 11 Cambodian Blue Hat soldiers have been killed and 15 wounded during missions in various target areas. From 2006 to 2023, Cambodia sent more than 8,000 Blue Troops to peacekeeping missions in nine countries: Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, Central Africa, Lebanon, Cyprus, Syria, Mali, and Yemen.
