According to a report by the news agency AFP, Thailand has announced an emergency in its eight border provinces amid a growing conflict with Cambodia. Citizens have been advised to avoid traveling, be cautious and follow official safety instructions when the struggle increases. Earlier, Thailand had rejected the mediation efforts of third countries to end the ongoing struggle with Cambodia. The border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia rose dramatically on Friday, with heavy shelling and rockets fired in the most severe conflict between the two sides in more than a decade. At least 15 people have died – 14 in Thailand and one in Cambodia – while more than 1,20,000 people have been forced to flee their homes.
Phone call
Cambodia and Thailand, who have been neighbors for a long time and have a history of border disputes, are finding themselves in another cycle of violence – this time more deadly than recent times.
But what caused such a dramatic increase in this clash?
Last month, tension increased further when former Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen publicly leaked a phone call with Thailand Prime Minister Paitagarn Shinavatra. In the call, Pattagarna addressed Hun Sen as “uncle” and was heard criticizing a Thai military commander. The leak created a political storm in Thailand and the Partagarna was suspended. The constitutional court of the country is currently considering removing him from the post. Why Hun Sen decided to leak the call, despite his family’s decades -old close ties with Shinavatra, is not yet clear. But its effect has now reached the battlefield, where diplomatic routes have been closed and violence on the border has increased.
The border struggle between Thailand and Cambodia continues on the third day on Saturday
The border struggle between Thailand and Cambodia continued on the third day on Saturday, causing thousands of citizens to migrate from their homes, increasing the possibility of long and fatal conflict between the two southeast Asian neighbors.
Cambodian officials reported 12 more deaths on Saturday – seven civilians and five soldiers – causing the total number of deaths in both countries to at least 32. The deaths occurred between the Ta Mun Thom Temple and the disputed 800 km (500 mi) border near other disputed areas.
Struggle between Thailand and Cambodia increases figures of deaths
Cambodia confirmed the death of a person early on Friday, when a person was killed when a Thai rocket hit a Buddhist pagoda. Meanwhile, Thai officials said that 13 civilians, including six of his soldiers and children, were killed. According to the Thai Health Ministry, dozens of others were injured – 29 Thai soldiers and 30 civilians. Cambodia confirmed the death of a person on Friday, when a person was killed when a Thai rocket hit a Buddhist pagoda. Meanwhile, Thai officials said that 13 civilians, including six of his soldiers and children, were killed. According to the Thai Health Ministry, dozens of others were injured – 29 Thai soldiers and 30 civilians. So far more than 81,000 people have been displaced due to the fight. The Thai Health Ministry said that 58,000 people are taking shelter in four affected provinces, while Cambodia’s Home Ministry has confirmed the evacuation of over 23,000 people from Odar Minch province and surrounding areas.
Hospitals and schools shelling
The violence began after a landmine explosion on Wednesday, in which five Thai soldiers were injured have caused widespread damage. Cambodian officials said that Thai rockets attacked a school premises on Friday, although no casualties were reported. A hospital in Phanom Dong Rak district of Thailand also damaged the shelling, which broke the windows and damaged its roof.
Thai officials have accused the Cambodian forces of using heavy artillery and Russia-made BM-21 rocket launchers, due to which Bangkok described it as “proper assistant shelling”. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry replied, accusing Thailand of targeting civic areas and questioned how a small country with Air Force could provoke a large, better equipped army.
Call of ceasefire and restraint
The United Nations Security Council held a meeting in an emergency closed room in New York on Friday. Although no formal statement was issued, all 15 members allegedly urged both sides to reduce stress, take maximum restraint and find peaceful solutions.
Cambodia’s United Nations Ambassador to Cambodia, who requested an emergency meeting, called for an unconditional ceasefire. “We also call for a peaceful solution to the dispute, dismissing allegations of aggression, dismissing allegations of aggression.” “We don’t do this,” KO said highlighting Cambodia’s military weaknesses.
The acting Prime Minister of Thailand, Fummatha Vachayachai, said that Cambodia may be guilty of war crimes due to the deaths of citizens and attacks on medical facilities. He insisted that Thailand has shown “extreme restraint and patience” in front of provocation.
Stuck citizen
On both sides of the border, families have been forced to escape amid firing. In Surin province of Thailand, around 600 migrants took refuge in a university gym. Rear -Pornpain Sukasai explained how she ran away from her house with four of her cats as the echo of explosions was heard nearby. Remembering he said, “I just heard the blast, the blast … I was scared, scared.”
In the rural Odar Meenche province of Cambodia, villagers dug temporary bunkers and took refuge in temples. 74 -year -old farmer Veng Chin said that he hoped that the governments “would talk about an agreement so that I can return to my home and work on the farm.”
ASEAN and International Media Efforts
Rare criticism and concern have been expressed by the regional partners on this conflict. The South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes both countries, has called for maintaining peace. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is currently the president of the group, said that both Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to the return of the ceasefire and soldiers, but they need more time before implementing the agreement.
Anwar said that he has spoken directly to the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Fumm and offered Malaysia’s support in facilitating peace talks. United Nations Secretary -General Antonio Guterres has also urged both sides to prioritize diplomacy rather than use force.