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Leaders
4 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Cambodia Urges Immediate Ceasefire with Thailand Amid Border Bloodshed
Cambodia has urgently called for an immediate ceasefire with Thailand following two days of deadly border clashes. The Cambodian envoy to the UN announced this plea on Friday, as Bangkok also signaled its openness to diplomatic talks. This renewed conflict stems from a long-running border dispute that escalated dramatically on Thursday, involving jets, artillery, tanks, and ground troops. The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Friday to address the crisis. Cambodia's UN ambassador, Chhea Keo, emphasized the nation's demand for an unconditional and immediate ceasefire, stating 'We ask for an immediate ceasefire—unconditionally—and we also call for a peaceful solution to the dispute,' following a closed session of the Security Council, attended by both Cambodian and Thai representatives. Meanwhile, the sound of artillery strikes continued to echo from the Cambodian side of the border on Friday. In Oddar Meanchey province, one civilian, a 70-year-old man, was killed, and five others sustained injuries. Human Cost of the Conflict The conflict has exacted a heavy toll on human lives, with Thailand's health ministry reported that over 138,000 people have been evacuated from its border regions. The ministry also confirmed 15 fatalities, including 14 civilians and one soldier, with an additional 46 wounded, among them 15 troops. Fighting resumed in three areas on Friday, according to the Thai army as Cambodian forces initiated heavy weapons fire, utilizing field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems. Thai troops responded with appropriate supporting fire. Diplomatic Efforts and Accusations Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nikorndej Balankura revealed that the fighting began to subside by Friday afternoon, stating that Bangkok remained open to discussions, potentially with Malaysia's assistance. 'We are ready, if Cambodia would like to settle this matter via diplomatic channels, bilaterally, or even through Malaysia, we are ready to do that. But so far, we have not had any response,' he said, prior to the UN meeting. Malaysia currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional bloc to which both Thailand and Cambodia belong. Earlier, acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai cautioned that an escalation could lead to war, though he noted that it remained limited to clashes for now. Thai artillery damaged this pagoda in Oddar Meanchey province Both nations accused each other of initiating the conflict as Thailand specifically charged Cambodia with targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station struck by at least one rocket. At the UN, Cambodia's envoy questioned Thailand's assertion that his country, militarily smaller and less developed, had started the conflict, stated, '(The Security Council) called for both parties to (show) maximum restraint and resort to a diplomatic solution. That is what we are calling for as well.' A History of Border Disputes This recent fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-standing dispute between the two neighboring countries with both Thailand and Cambodia are popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists. Their shared 800-kilometer border has dozens of contested areas. Previous conflicts erupted between 2008 and 2011, resulting in at least 28 deaths and displacing tens of thousands of people. A UN court ruling in 2013 seemingly settled the issue for over a decade. However, the current crisis began in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash. People fled their homes on both sides of the border after the latest violence erupted Thursday's fighting concentrated on six locations, according to the Thai army, including areas around two ancient temples. Ground troops, supported by tanks, battled for territorial control. Cambodia launched rockets and shells into Thailand, while Thai forces deployed F-16 jets to strike military targets across the border. In Samraong, a Cambodian town 20 kilometers from the border, with families fleeing in vehicles with their children and belongings as gunfire erupted. Pro Bak, 41, expressed his fear, stating, 'I live very close to the border. We are scared.' He was taking his wife and children to a Buddhist temple to seek refuge. Short link : Post Views: 91
The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Thailand condemns Cambodian attacks on civilians, hospitals
BANGKOK: Thailand has strongly condemned Cambodia's "indiscriminate" attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and public facilities, including medical establishments, labelling them clear and severe violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of the Department of Information and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a statement outlining Bangkok's position. - Photo: The Nation/ANN He highlighted specific breaches, including Article 19 of the First Geneva Convention on the protection of medical units and establishments, and Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention concerning the safeguarding of civilian hospitals. "Thailand vehemently condemns such inhumane actions, which clearly contravene obligations under the Geneva Conventions," Nikorndej stated. - Photo: The Nation/ANN He confirmed that the Thai government will dispatch a formal letter to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), vehemently denouncing these "severe breaches of international humanitarian law." - The Nation/ANN
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Death toll rises in Thai-Cambodian clashes despite ceasefire call
More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand's border regions. - Photo: Reuters SAMRAONG, (Cambodia): Thailand and Cambodia clashed for a third day on Saturday (July 26), as the death toll from their bloodiest fighting in years rose to 33 and Phnom Penh called for an "immediate ceasefire". A long-running border dispute erupted into intense conflict involving jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, prompting the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis Friday. Cambodia's defence ministry said 13 people were now confirmed killed in the fighting, including eight civilians and five soldiers, with 71 people wounded. In Thailand, the army said five soldiers were killed on Friday, taking the toll there to 20 -- 14 civilians and six military. The death toll across the two countries is now higher than the 28 killed in the last major round of fighting between 2008 and 2011. Both sides reported a clash around 5am (2200 Friday GMT), with Cambodia accusing Thai forces of firing "five heavy artillery shells" into locations in Pursat province, which borders Thailand's Trat province. The fighting has forced more than 138,000 people to be evacuated from Thailand's border regions, with more than 35,000 driven from their homes in Cambodia. After the closed meeting of the Security Council in New York, Cambodia's UN ambassador Chhea Keo said his country wanted a ceasefire. "Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire -- unconditionally -- and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute," he told reporters. - Border row - Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said Friday, before the UN meeting was held, that Bangkok was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia. "We are ready, if Cambodia would like to settle this matter via diplomatic channels, bilaterally, or even through Malaysia, we are ready to do that. But so far we have not had any response," Nikorndej told AFP. Malaysia currently holds the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc, of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members. Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has warned that if the situation escalates, "it could develop into war." Both sides blamed each other for firing first, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. Cambodia has accused Thai forces of using cluster munitions. At the UN, Cambodia's envoy questioned Thailand's assertion that his country, which is smaller and less militarily developed than its neighbour, had initiated the conflict. "(The Security Council) called for both parties to (show) maximum restraint and resort to a diplomatic solution. That is what we are calling for as well," said Chhea Keo. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours -- both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists -- over their shared 800-kilometre (500-mile) border. Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for over a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash. - AFP
India.com
4 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
'Thanks, but no need for third-party help': This country denies mediation offer from China and US amid ongoing border conflict
'Thanks, but no need for third-party help': This country denies mediation offer from China and US amid ongoing border conflict A fight between Thailand and Cambodia over a border dispute has turned very serious in the last two days. So far, 14 people have died, and most of them were reportedly civilians. Soldiers from both countries opened fire on each other at the border. They used small guns, fired artillery shells, and even launched rockets. As the situation got worse, the United States, China, and Malaysia offered to help solve the problem peacefully. But Thailand, being a small country, gave a strong and clear reply to both China and the US, saying it doesn't need any third-party help. However, later, Thailand agreed to Malaysia's offer to help mediate and find a peaceful solution. Thailand's Foreign Ministry said on Friday that it has rejected offers from other countries to mediate in its conflict with Cambodia. The ministry made it clear that it wants Cambodia to stop the attacks and that the issue should be solved only through direct talks between the two countries. Thailand's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nikorndej Balankura, told Reuters that the United States, China, and Malaysia (which is currently the chair of the ASEAN regional group) had offered to help with talks. However, Thailand wants to handle the situation on its own and prefers a bilateral solution instead of involving outside countries. Thailand's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nikorndej Balankura, told Reuters, 'I don't think we need any third-party mediation right now.' He added, 'We firmly believe that solving the issue directly between the two countries is the best way forward. This is a conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, and it should be handled by both sides alone.' He also said that Cambodia should first stop the violence at the border. 'Our doors are still open for talks,' he added. However, after rejecting earlier offers, the Thai government is now willing to consider Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's proposal to support a ceasefire. Thailand's Foreign Ministry posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, 'Any ceasefire must be based on fair and practical conditions on the ground. Thailand puts the safety of its citizens first. Right now, Cambodia's actions show a lack of goodwill and are putting innocent lives in danger. It is the duty of the Royal Thai Government to fully protect its sovereignty and its people.' Meanwhile, as clashes continued for a second day, Thai authorities imposed martial law in eight districts along the border with Cambodia.
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Thailand, Cambodia clashes continue amid ceasefire call
Thailand and Cambodia clashed for a third day, as the death toll from their bloodiest fighting in years rose to over 30 and Cambodia called for an "immediate ceasefire". A long-running border dispute erupted into intense conflict involving jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, prompting the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis yesterday. Cambodia's defence ministry said 13 people were now confirmed killed in the fighting, including eight civilians and five soldiers, with 71 people wounded. In Thailand, the army said five soldiers were killed yesterday, taking the toll there to 20 - 14 civilians and six military. The death toll across the two countries is now higher than the 28 killed in the last major round of fighting between 2008 and 2011. Both sides reported a clash around 5am local time (11pm Irish time Friday), with Cambodia accusing Thai forces of firing "five heavy artillery shells" into locations in Pursat province, which borders Thailand's Trat province. The fighting has forced more than 138,000 people to be evacuated from Thailand's border regions, with more than 35,000 driven from their homes in Cambodia. After the closed meeting of the Security Council in New York, Cambodia's UN ambassador Chhea Keo said his country wanted a ceasefire. "Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire - unconditionally - and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute," he told reporters. Border row Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said, before the UN meeting was held, that Thailand was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia. "We are ready, if Cambodia would like to settle this matter via diplomatic channels, bilaterally, or even through Malaysia, we are ready to do that. But so far we have not had any response," Mr Nikorndej told AFP. Malaysia currently holds the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc, of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members. Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has warned that if the situation escalates, "it could develop into war." Both sides blamed each other for firing first, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. Cambodia has accused Thai forces of using cluster munitions. At the UN, Cambodia's envoy questioned Thailand's assertion that his country, which is smaller and less militarily developed than its neighbour, had initiated the conflict. "(The Security Council) called for both parties to (show) maximum restraint and resort to a diplomatic solution. That is what we are calling for as well," Mr Chhea added. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours - both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists - over their shared 800km border. Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for over a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash.
