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Al Arabiya
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as fighting rages for second day
Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched into a second day, despite calls from the region and beyond for an immediate ceasefire in an escalating border conflict that has killed at least 16 people. Thailand's military reported clashes before dawn in Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces and said Cambodian forces had used artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket systems. Thai authorities said 100,000 people had been evacuated from conflict areas on their side of the border. 'Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment utilizing heavy weapons, field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems,' the Thai military said in a statement. 'Thai forces have responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation.' Both sides blamed each other for starting the conflict Thursday at a disputed border area, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling across at least six locations 130 miles (209 kilometers) apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been contested for more than a century. Reuters journalists in Thailand's Surin province reported hearing intermittent explosions on Friday, with armed Thai soldiers stationed at roads and gas stations throughout the largely agrarian region. A Thai military convoy — including trucks, armored vehicles, and tanks — was seen moving across provincial roads toward the border. The fighting erupted just hours after Thailand recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia's envoy, following a Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleges was recently planted by Cambodian troops. Cambodia has dismissed the claim as baseless. Thailand's health ministry said the death toll had risen to 15 by early Friday, including 14 civilians. Another 46 people were reported injured, among them 15 soldiers. Cambodia's national government has not released official casualty figures or confirmed any evacuations. A government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Meth Meas Pheakdey, spokesperson for Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey provincial administration, said one civilian had been killed and five others wounded. Around 1,500 families were evacuated from affected areas, he added. Thailand deployed six F-16 fighter jets on Thursday in a rare combat operation. One of the jets reportedly struck a Cambodian military target — an act Cambodia condemned as 'reckless and brutal military aggression.' Thailand's use of the F-16 underscores its military advantage over Cambodia, which lacks fighter aircraft and has significantly fewer defense resources and personnel, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The United States, a long-time treaty ally of Thailand, urged an 'immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and a peaceful resolution.' Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said he had spoken with both Thai and Cambodian leaders and encouraged dialogue. 'I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward. Malaysia stands ready to assist and facilitate this process in the spirit of ASEAN unity and shared responsibility,' Anwar said in a social media post late Thursday.
Malaysian Reserve
23-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Lee, Anwar discuss FTA, expanding South Korea-Malaysia cooperation
SEOUL — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (picture) agreed Monday to work together to expand bilateral cooperation in a 'mutually beneficial and substantive' manner, including efforts to conclude a free trade pact, the presidential office said. According to Yonhap news agency both leaders reached the understanding during their first phone talks earlier in the day, expressing hopes to further advance the strategic partnership between South Korea and the Southeast Asian nation, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung told reporters. 'The two leaders agreed to work together to further expand mutually beneficial and substantive cooperation in a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, infrastructure, digital transformation, green growth and defence, especially with the expected conclusion of the South Korea-Malaysia free trade agreement this year,' Kang said. 'The president also emphasised his commitment to bolstering the bilateral friendship and cooperation based on decades of mutual trust and goodwill,' she said. The two countries mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. They also shared the view that the two countries can make meaningful contributions to strengthening cooperation in the international community, as South Korea and Malaysia are due to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) -related meetings later this year, respectively. During the phone talks, Anwar congratulated Lee on his inauguration and Lee expressed his gratitude in return, Kang added. — BERNAMA-YONHAP
