At least nine civilians were killed in a Cambodian rocket and artillery strike, on Thursday, as its military clashed once again with Thailand over disputed territory. At least 14 other civilians were injured, including children.
Fighting erupted near two temples on the border between the Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey. Both governments blame the other for triggering the fresh clash.
over the Emerald Triangle — an area where the borders of both countries and Laos meet, and home to several ancient temples. The neighboring countries have been arguing over where the border should be drawn for years.
A livestream video from Thailand’s side showed people running from their homes and hiding in a concrete bunker as explosions sounded.
Thailand has closed all its border openings with Cambodia with clashes having taken place in at least six locations.
Cambodia blamed Thailand for the “unprovoked military aggression” and said it condemned the “reckless and hostile” act in the “strongest possible terms.”
How did the clashes break out?
Thailand’s army has blamed Cambodian forces for opening fire first, claiming that Cambodia targeted civilians with two BM-21 rockets which hit a community in Surin’s Kap Choeng district.
It said clashes began when a unit guarding the Ta Muen temple heard a Cambodian drone overhead. Thai soldiers then found six armed Cambodian soldiers, including one carrying a rocket-propelled grenade, approaching a barbed-wired fence in front of the Thai post.
Thailand claimed its solders shouted to warn them, but Cambodian forces opened fire toward the eastern side of the temple close to the Thai base.
Meanwhile, Cambodia said its neighbor had violated a peace agreement and opened fire on the Cambodian army.
“The Thai military violated the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia by launching an armed assault on Cambodian forces stationed to defend the nation’s sovereign territory,” Defense Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said in a statement.
“In response, the Cambodian armed forces exercized their legitimate right to self-defense, in full accordance with international law, to repel the Thai incursion and protect Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The clashes come a day after Thailand recalled its ambassador from Cambodia and said it would expel his counterpart, after a second . Bangkok alleged the landmines were recetly placed in the disputed region.
Thailand deploys fighter jets: reports
Thailand’s military deployed six F-16 fighter jets, the nation’s army said on social media, as the dispute escalated. The forces claimed one of the F-16 had destroyed a Cambodian military target.
On the other side of the border, Cambodia’s defense ministry said Thai fighter jets had dropped two bombs on a road.
Thailand’s embassy in Phnom Penh urged its nationals to leave “as soon as possible” in a Facebook post.
Cambodia seeks urgent UNSC meeting
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has requested the United Natiosn Security Council (UNSC) be convened for an urgent meeting.
“Considering the recent extremely grave aggressions by Thailand, which have gravely threatened peace and stability in the region, I earnestly request you to convene an urgent meeting of the Security Council to stop Thailand’s aggression,” he wrote in a letter addressed to sitting UNSC president Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.
China’s foreign ministry said it was deeply concerned about the ongoing clashes and would play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation.
Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher
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