Desk Report,
Clashes again between Thailand and Cambodia, emergency meeting of the Security Council today
The Thai military said that there were clashes on the border between Thailand and Cambodia on Friday morning. They said that Cambodian forces used heavy weapons as well as rockets in the attack.
Clashes again between Thailand and Cambodia, emergency meeting of the Security Council today
The Thai military said in a statement, “Cambodian forces continuously fired using heavy weapons, field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems. Thai troops responded in response to the situation.”
The previous day, on Thursday, at least 11 civilians were killed in shelling on the border by both sides, after which Thailand bombed Cambodian targets with F-16 fighter jets. The old border tensions between the two Southeast Asian countries turned into a rare armed clash. Both countries blamed each other for the clashes that broke out in a disputed area of the border early this morning. The clashes, which initially began with light weapons fire, later turned into heavy shelling. The clashes have spread to at least six places. The two sides have been arguing over sovereignty over the areas for years.
Thailand has deployed six F-16 fighter jets to the conflict. One of them struck a Cambodian military position. The Thai military said the airstrike was aimed at a specific target. On the other hand, the Cambodian Foreign Ministry called the attack a “reckless and brutal military aggression.”
It is the deadliest clash between the two countries in 13 years. Thailand recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh on Wednesday and expelled the Cambodian ambassador. Earlier, a Thai soldier lost his leg in a landmine explosion. Thailand claims the mine was recently planted by opposing forces. Cambodia rejects the claim as “false.”
The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet today to discuss the conflict. Thailand’s longtime ally, the United States, has already called for a ceasefire. “We are deeply concerned by the escalation of violence along the Thai-Cambodian border and saddened by reports of civilian casualties,” US State Department deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott told a regular news briefing. “We call for an immediate end to the fighting, the protection of civilians, and a peaceful resolution to the crisis,” he said.
The two countries have been preparing for war since a brief clash in late May killed a Cambodian soldier. The fighting has led to a build-up of troops on both sides of the border and diplomatic tensions have brought Thailand’s coalition government to the brink of collapse.
Thailand said 12 people were killed in attacks in three provinces on Tuesday, including 11 civilians. The dead include an eight-year-old child. Another 31 were wounded. The Cambodian death toll is not yet clear.
“We condemn this,” said Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechachachai. “The use of heavy weapons without a specific target in the conflict, which took place outside the area of combat… This use of force has been done without regard for international law.”
Phumtham added, “We are in favor of a peaceful solution and there should be talks. But what happened is a kind of provocation. And we are forced to respond in self-defense.”
