Latest news with #militaryclash
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Thailand, Cambodia reach agreement to reposition troops at disputed border after May clash
BANGKOK, June 9 — Thailand and Cambodia yesterday reached an agreement to reposition their troops in a disputed border area where a Cambodian soldier was killed last month in a military clash, both sides announced. There has been sporadic violence on the Thai–Cambodia frontier since 2008, resulting in at least 28 deaths. A Cambodian soldier was killed in the most recent outbreak of clashes on May 28 in an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. Following disputes in recent days over border controls and troops, the two sides met yesterday and agreed to reposition their soldiers. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she had spoken to the Cambodian government and talks had reached a 'positive conclusion'. 'Both parties have agreed to jointly adjust military forces at points of conflict to reduce the atmosphere of confrontation,' she wrote on X. Further discussions were due on June 14, the prime minister added. Cambodia's defence ministry said the two militaries met and 'decided to adjust forces of both sides, to return to appropriate positions to reduce confrontations'. Influential former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen said adjusting forces through 'mutual understanding' was 'essential to avoid large-scale violent clashes'. Thailand and Cambodia have long been at odds over their more than 800-kilometre-long (500-mile) border, which was largely drawn during the French occupation of Indochina. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said today the kingdom would file a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the border dispute. The ICJ ruled in 2013 that the disputed area belonged to Cambodia, but Thailand says it does not accept the ICJ's jurisdiction. — AFP
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Tensions rise as Thailand shuts tourist crossings with Cambodia over border dispute
BANGKOK, June 7 — Thailand temporarily closed two of its border crossings with Cambodia to tourists on Saturday after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a recent military clash between the two uneasy neighbours. There has been sporadic violence between the two South-east Asian neighbours since fighting first broke out in 2008, resulting in at least 28 deaths. A Cambodian soldier was killed in the most recent outbreak on May 28 in an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. The Thai and Cambodian militaries agreed to ease tensions the following day but Cambodia then said it would keep its troops in the area, despite Thailand urging it to withdraw. The Royal Thai Army took control of the 'opening and closing' of all border crossings it shares with Cambodia on Saturday, citing a 'threat to Thailand's sovereignty and security'. Authorities in Thailand's eastern province of Chanthaburi said in a statement on Saturday they had 'temporarily suspended' crossings by Thai and Cambodian tourists at two permanent border checkpoints. It said trade remained unaffected and Cambodian workers were still permitted to enter Thailand. Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Phumtham Wechayachai said in a statement on Saturday it was 'deeply regrettable' that Cambodia had 'rejected' the proposal to withdraw its armed forces. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Monday the kingdom would file a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the border dispute. The ICJ ruled in 2013 following years of violence that the disputed area belonged to Cambodia, but Thailand says it does not accept the ICJ's jurisdiction. Thai authorities said a Joint Boundary Committee would meet next week to resolve the issue. — AFP
NHK
29-05-2025
- General
- NHK
Calls for calm after clash along Thai-Cambodia border
Thailand and Cambodia are calling for calm after a rare military clash along their disputed border. Defense officials in Cambodia say the incident left one of their soldiers dead. Cambodian troops say they were conducting a patrol on Wednesday when they suddenly came under fire. Thai officials say they tried to talk before the Cambodians started shooting. Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters the clash was accidental and unintentional. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Facebook his country does not intend to invade any others. He also said he hopes a meeting between the commanders of both armies on Thursday evening brings "positive results." The Southeast Asian neighbors have a long history of territorial disputes. An armed conflict erupted after the Preah Vihear temple along the border was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Sifting through the rubble of latest Pakistan-India conflict
NEELUM VALLEY, Pakistan: Two weeks after Pakistan and India's most intense military clashes in decades, clearance teams along the border comb through fields for unexploded shells so residents can safely build back from the rubble of their homes. Around 70 people, mostly Pakistanis, were killed in the four-day conflict that spread beyond divided Kashmir, over which the neighbors have fought three major wars. The military confrontation — involving intense tit-for-tat drone, missile, aerial combat and artillery exchanges — came to an abrupt end after US President Donald Trump announced a surprise ceasefire, which is still holding. On the Pakistan side of Kashmir, called Azad Kashmir, 500 buildings were damaged or destroyed, including nearly 50 in the picturesque Neelum Valley, where two people were killed. 'There is a possibility that there are unexploded shells still embedded in the ground,' said local official Muhammad Kamran, who has been helping clear educational institutions near the border. Unexploded ordnance dating from conflicts past killed several children in 2021 and 2022 in Azad Kashmir. Headmaster Muhammad Zubair follows a mine detector into a classroom of his high school in the valley where a writing on a whiteboard standing in the debris reads 'we are brave' in English. 'Although the fighting has stopped, people still hold so much fear and anxiety,' he told AFP. 'Despite calling them back to school, children are not showing up.' Abdul Rasheed, a power department official, said he worked 'day and night' to repair power lines damaged by Indian firing. Over the years, investment in roads has helped to create a modest tourism sector in the Neelum Valley, attracting Pakistanis who come to marvel at the Himalayan mountains. Hotels reopened on Monday, but they remain deserted in the middle of peak season. Alif Jan, 76, who has lived through multiple clashes between the two sides, is yet to call her grandchildren back to her border village after sending them away during the latest hostilities. 'It was a very difficult time. It was like doomsday had arrived,' she said. The children were sent to Azad Kashmir's main city of Muzaffarabad, usually safe but this time targeted with an Indian air strike. Jan wants to be certain the fighting doesn't resume and that she has enough to feed them before they eventually return. In a schoolyard, she collects a 20-kilogram (45-pound) bag of flour, a can of oil, and some medicine from a local NGO. Thousands of other families are still waiting to be relocated or compensated for damage. 'We have identified 5,000 families,' said Fawad Aslam, the program manager of local aid group. 'Our first priority is families who suffered direct damage, while the second priority is those who were forced to migrate — people who had to leave their homes and are now living in camps or temporary shelters.' For 25-year-old Numan Butt whose brother was killed by shrapnel, the aid is little consolation. 'This conflict keeps coming upon us; this oppression is ongoing,' he told AFP. 'It is a good thing that they have agreed to peace, but the brother I have lost will never come back.'
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Sifting through the rubble of Pakistan-India conflict
Two weeks after Pakistan and India's most intense military clashes in decades, clearance teams along the border comb through fields for unexploded shells so residents can safely build back from the rubble of their homes. Around 70 people, mostly Pakistanis, were killed in the four-day conflict that spread beyond divided Kashmir, over which the neighbours have fought three major wars. The military confrontation — involving intense tit-for-tat drone, missile, aerial combat and artillery exchanges — came to an abrupt end after US President Donald Trump announced a surprise ceasefire, which is still holding. On the Pakistan side of Kashmir, 500 buildings were damaged or destroyed — including nearly 50 in the picturesque Neelum Valley, where two people were killed. "There is a possibility that there are unexploded shells still embedded in the ground," said local official Muhammad Kamran, who has been helping clear educational institutions near the border. Unexploded ordnance dating from conflicts past killed several children in 2021 and 2022 in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. 'We are brave' Headmaster Muhammad Zubair follows a mine detector into a classroom of his high school in the valley where a writing on a whiteboard standing in the debris reads "we are brave" in English. "Although the fighting has stopped, people still hold so much fear and anxiety," he told AFP. "Despite calling them back to school, children are not showing up." Abdul Rasheed, a power department official, said he worked "day and night" to repair power lines damaged by Indian firing. Over the years, investment in roads has helped to create a modest tourism sector in the Neelum Valley, attracting Pakistanis who come to marvel at the Himalayan mountains. Hotels reopened on Monday, but they remain deserted in the middle of peak season. Alif Jan, 76, who has lived through multiple clashes between the two sides, is yet to call her grandchildren back to her border village after sending them away during the latest hostilities. "It was a very difficult time. It was like doomsday had arrived," she said. The children were sent to Kashmir's main city of Muzaffarabad, usually safe but this time targeted with an Indian air strike. Waiting for compensation Jan wants to be certain the fighting doesn't resume and that she has enough to feed them before they eventually return. In a schoolyard, she collects a 20-kilogramme (45-pound) bag of flour, a can of oil, and some medicine from a local NGO. Thousands of other families are still waiting to be relocated or compensated for damage. "We have identified 5,000 families," said Fawad Aslam, the programme manager of local aid group. "Our first priority is families who suffered direct damage, while the second priority is those who were forced to migrate -- people who had to leave their homes and are now living in camps or temporary shelters." For 25-year-old Numan Butt whose brother was killed by shrapnel, the aid is little consolation. "This conflict keeps coming upon us; this oppression is ongoing," he told AFP. "It is a good thing that they have agreed to peace, but the brother I have lost will never come back."
