View source for Cambodian–Vietnamese War

== Background ==
The [[Cambodian–Vietnamese War]] was a series of conflicts involving various nations including Cambodia and Vietnam, which took place between 1975 and 1989. The war began when the [[Khmer Rouge]] regime, under the leadership of [[Pol Pot]], attacked the Vietnamese border and initiated a series of clashes. The Khmer Rouge, a communist party in Cambodia, had been in power since 1975 and had implemented a radical program that included isolating the country from all foreign influences, closing schools, hospitals and factories, abolishing banking, finance and currency, outlawing all religions, confiscating all private property and relocating people from urban areas to collective farms where forced labor was widespread. The policies led to widespread death and suffering.

[[Image:Detail-54713.jpg|thumb|center|A war field with remnants of war machinery.|class=only_on_mobile]]
[[Image:Detail-54714.jpg|thumb|center|A war field with remnants of war machinery.|class=only_on_desktop]]

== Prelude to the War ==
The Khmer Rouge's attacks on Vietnam's border villages escalated in 1977. By the end of the year, the Khmer Rouge had conducted 230 cross-border raids. The Vietnamese leadership, in response, launched a retaliatory strike on 21 December 1977 with the aim of capturing the town of [[Kratié]], which was situated on the east bank of the [[Mekong River]]. The strike was also intended to serve as a warning to the Khmer Rouge, demonstrating Vietnam's military capabilities.

== The War ==
On 25 December 1978, Vietnam launched a full-scale invasion of Cambodia, seeking to end Khmer Rouge border attacks. The [[People's Army of Vietnam]] (PAVN) had a clear technological and logistical advantage over the Khmer Rouge. By 7 January 1979, the PAVN had captured [[Phnom Penh]], the capital of Cambodia, and overthrown the Khmer Rouge regime.

== Aftermath ==
The Vietnamese installed a new government, the [[People's Republic of Kampuchea]] (PRK), which was led by Khmer Rouge defectors. Despite the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge, guerrilla warfare continued throughout the 1980s. The Khmer Rouge, backed by China, Thailand, the United States, and the United Kingdom, continued to control portions of western Cambodia. The PRK, despite being plagued by economic difficulties and being largely dependent on Vietnam for economic and military support, maintained control over the majority of the country.

== International Reaction ==
The international community was divided in its reaction to the war. While the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge were widely condemned, many nations were critical of Vietnam's invasion. China, in particular, was a strong supporter of the Khmer Rouge and launched a brief border war against Vietnam in response to the invasion.

== Legacy ==
The Cambodian–Vietnamese War had a profound impact on both Cambodia and Vietnam. It led to the end of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime and the establishment of the PRK. However, it also marked the beginning of a decade-long occupation of Cambodia by Vietnamese forces, which was marked by ongoing guerrilla warfare.

== See Also ==
* [[Khmer Rouge]]
* [[People's Army of Vietnam]]
* [[People's Republic of Kampuchea]]
* [[Sino-Vietnamese War]]

[[Category:Cambodian–Vietnamese War]]
[[Category:Cold War conflicts]]
[[Category:Wars involving Vietnam]]