Latest news with #CambodianDefence
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thai-Cambodia border clashes persist despite ceasefire hopes
Fresh artillery clashes erupted on Sunday near a long-contested region between Cambodia and Thailand that has been the scene of recent fighting in which at least 33 people have been killed. Both countries said they were ready to discuss a ceasefire after a late-night intervention by US President Donald Trump. Thailand and Cambodia clashed for a fourth day Sunday, despite both sides saying they were ready to discuss a ceasefire after a late-night intervention by US President Donald Trump. The neighbours, popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists, have been locked in their bloodiest conflict in years over the disputed border, with at least 33 people confirmed killed and more than 200,000 displaced. Both said they were willing to start talks to end the fighting, after Trump spoke to the two prime ministers late on Saturday and said they had agreed to meet and 'quickly work out' a ceasefire. Read moreTrump says Thailand and Cambodia agree to immediate ceasefire talks But fresh artillery clashes erupted on Sunday morning near two long-contested ancient temples in the frontier region between northern Cambodia and northeast Thailand that has seen the bulk of the fighting. Cambodian defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said Thai forces began attacking areas around the temples at 4:50 am. The regular thump of artillery rattled windows in the Cambodian town of Samraong, around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the frontline, AFP journalists said. Thai Army Deputy Spokesman Ritcha Suksuwanon said Cambodian forces began firing artillery around 4:00 am as the two sides battled for control of strategic positions. Ceasefire calls Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Sunday said his country 'agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces'. He said his Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn will talk to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to coordinate with the Thais, but warned Bangkok against reneging on any agreement. After Trump's call, Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said he had agreed in principle to enter a ceasefire and start talks 'as soon as possible'. While both sides have expressed a desire for talks to end the crisis, neither has so far been willing to back down. On Sunday, they again each blamed the other for undermining peace efforts. The Thai foreign ministry also accused Cambodian forces of firing shells into civilian homes in Surin province. 'Any cessation of hostilities cannot be reached while Cambodia is severely lacking in good faith and repeatedly violating the basic principles of human rights and humanitarian law,' the foreign ministry said in a statement. From the Cambodian side, defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata issued a statement denying that they fired first. The statement accused Thailand of 'deliberate and coordinated acts of aggression'. Read moreThailand and Cambodia clash: A border dispute fuelled by nationalism A long-running border dispute erupted into combat this week with jets, tanks and ground troops battling in the rural border region, marked by a ridge of hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice. Thailand says seven of its soldiers and 13 civilians have been killed, while Cambodia has confirmed eight civilian and five military deaths. The conflict has forced more than 138,000 people to be evacuated from Thailand's border regions, and 80,000 have been driven from their homes in Cambodia. After an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting Friday in New York, Cambodia's UN Ambassador Chhea Keo said his country wanted 'an immediate ceasefire' and a peaceful resolution of the dispute. UN chief Antonio Guterres urged both sides Saturday to 'immediately agree to a ceasefire' and hold talks to find a lasting solution. As well as blaming each other for starting the fight, Cambodia has also accused Thai forces of using cluster munitions, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours over their shared 800-kilometre border where dozens of kilometres are contested. (FRANCE 24 with AFP)
CNA
5 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Thailand and Cambodia troops clash at border area
Thai and Cambodian troops clashed at a disputed area of their border early on Thursday (Jul 24), with both sides claiming the other had opened fire. In a statement, the Thai military said Cambodian troops had opened fire in an area near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple. It said Cambodia had deployed a surveillance drone before sending troops to the area with heavy weapons. Cambodia's defence ministry confirmed the clash and said its forces retaliated after coming under attack from Thai troops. In a statement, the ministry's spokesperson said Cambodian troops acted in self-defence. Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party on Wednesday recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and said it would expel Cambodia's ambassador following a new landmine incident that injured a Thai soldier along the countries' disputed border.
Reuters
5 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Thai and Cambodia militaries clash at disputed border
BANGKOK, July 24 (Reuters) - Armed clashes broke out between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed area of their border early on Thursday, the militaries of both countries said, accusing each other of firing the first shots after weeks of simmering tension. In a statement, the Thai military said Cambodian troops had opened fire in an area near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple. It said Cambodia had deployed a surveillance drone before sending troops to the area with heavy weapons. A spokesperson for Cambodia's defence ministry said there had been an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops and Cambodian forces had responded in self-defence. The clash came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok, after a second Thai soldier in the space of a week lost a limb to a landmine in the disputed area. Thailand has said the landmines had been placed in the area recently, which Cambodia has described as baseless allegations. Cambodia has many landmines left over from its civil war decades ago, numbering in the millions according to de-mining groups.
