Emerald Triangle: Thailand and Cambodia's fresh border standoff
The Emerald Triangle area, the site of a deadly skirmish between Thai and Cambodian soldiers is no stranger to conflict. But residents along the disputed border fear the impacts of war, as they watch both militaries step up to the brink.
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CNA
9 hours ago
- CNA
Cambodia shuts border crossing, orders troops on ‘full alert' in Thai border row
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia on Friday (Jun 13) ordered its troops to remain on 'full alert' and banned Thai television dramas, in the latest escalation of a border spat with Thailand that has already seen deadly clashes. Phnom Penh also disconnected internet connections routed through Thailand and shut a major border crossing, ahead of a meeting between the two sides on Saturday aimed at easing tensions. Violence flared on May 28 in the so-called Emerald Triangle, where Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on Thursday night that Cambodia was cutting off all internet bandwidth from Thailand, prompting complaints from users about slow speeds. Cambodia's ministries of information and culture also ordered local television stations and cinemas to stop airing Thai TV series. CALLS FOR BOYCOTT AND TROOP READINESS Former leader Hun Sen, Hun Manet's father, called on Friday for a boycott of Thai goods and warned that Cambodia could halt imports from Thailand if border restrictions imposed by Thai authorities were not lifted. 'All armed forces must remain on full alert 24 hours a day, ready to respond and defend in the event of aggression,' Hun Sen wrote on Facebook. He also told officials in provinces near the border to prepare evacuation plans for residents if needed. Cambodia's immigration department confirmed the indefinite closure of the Daung-Ban Laem border crossing, citing public security and safety concerns. Hun Sen said the crossing would reopen only after Thailand lifts its restrictions. In another Facebook post, Hun Sen encouraged Thai farmers to protest against their military. Cambodian and Thai officials are scheduled to meet in Phnom Penh on Saturday to discuss the situation. LONGSTANDING BORDER DISPUTE The border row dates back to the colonial-era drawing of the 800km frontier, much of which was defined during the French occupation of Indochina. Sporadic violence in the region since 2008 has left at least 28 people dead. Earlier this month, Hun Manet announced Cambodia would file a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over four disputed areas, including the site of the latest clash. The ICJ ruled in 2013 that a contested area near the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia. However, Thailand does not accept the court's jurisdiction. Both militaries agreed on Sunday to reposition soldiers in the disputed area to avoid further confrontations. Thai authorities have since closed several other border crossings and tightened controls.
CNA
10 hours ago
- CNA
Tehran Retaliates with Missile Barrage After Israeli Attacks on Nuclear Sites
JERUSALEM: Explosions rocked Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Friday (Jun 13) after Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles in retaliation for Israel's largest-ever military strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. Sirens blared across Israel as air defences were activated, while explosions were also reported on the outskirts of Tehran, in Isfahan, and near Qom. Israel confirmed it had launched "Operation Rising Lion", targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure and top military leadership. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of initiating war, while Iranian state media said the retaliatory missile barrage targeted Israeli cities. TRUMP URGES IRAN TO STRIKE A DEAL US President Donald Trump, speaking in a phone interview with Reuters, said nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran were still on the agenda for Sunday, though their fate remained uncertain. 'I tried to save Iran humiliation and death. They can still work out a deal – it's not too late,' Trump said. Earlier on Truth Social, he warned: "Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left." Trump also suggested the Israeli strikes were a result of Tehran's failure to accept a 60-day ultimatum to curb its nuclear programme. ISRAEL TARGETS NUCLEAR AND MISSILE SITES The Israeli military said it had struck missile and drone launching facilities as well as a second nuclear site near Isfahan. In addition, a senior military spokesman confirmed dozens of radars and missile launchers had been destroyed. At least 20 Iranian commanders and six nuclear scientists were killed, according to two regional sources. Among the dead were armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami. Major General Mohammad Pakpour was swiftly promoted to replace Salami and vowed a "bitter response" in a message to the Supreme Leader. Iranian media reported 80 civilians killed and more than 300 wounded in overnight attacks, including blasts at apartment blocks and homes of nuclear scientists. DIPLOMATIC TENSIONS RISE Iran has called for a United Nations Security Council meeting, accusing Israel of unlawful aggression. The UN Security Council was scheduled to meet Friday at Tehran's request. Separately, diplomats confirmed that the IAEA Board of Governors will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the Israeli strikes, following a request supported by Russia, China and Venezuela. The meeting will begin at 10am Vienna time. Meanwhile, Israel's National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said the military campaign was unlikely to fully destroy Iran's nuclear capability, but 'could create the conditions for a long-term deal, led by the United States.' REGIONAL FALLOUT AND OIL MARKETS Israel reported that a missile fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen struck Hebron in the West Bank, injuring three Palestinian children. However, Iran denied launching any drones, and none reportedly reached Israeli territory. Markets reacted sharply. Brent crude jumped as much as 14% before settling up 5.5%, with OPEC stating there was no immediate need to adjust oil supply. Gold rose 1.1%, and global equities declined amid risk-off sentiment. Despite the strikes, commercial oil production infrastructure was reportedly unharmed. Airlines rerouted flights to avoid Israeli, Iranian, Iraqi and Jordanian airspace, and Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport was temporarily shut. Israel has reportedly operated Mossad commandos deep inside Iran prior to the attack, and military intelligence said damage to the underground Natanz facility might take days to fully assess. Iran has long insisted its uranium enrichment is for peaceful purposes only. While the full extent of Israel's operation remains to be seen, Netanyahu said in a televised speech that 'this operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.'
CNA
15 hours ago
- CNA
NUS senior research fellow Jean-Loup Samaan on boiling Israel-Iran tensions
Iran has vowed revenge and demanded swift response, after a barrage of strikes from Israel targeted its military and nuclear sites, killing several of its top military brass. Dr Jean-Loup Samaan, a senior research fellow at the Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore, discussed more about the conflict.
