Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has entered its second day, resulting in at least 16 deaths and displacing over 100,000 people. World leaders are urging both nations to reach a ceasefire as tensions escalate at their disputed border.
Escalating Border Clashes Between Thailand and Cambodia Displace Thousands
Escalating Border Clashes Between Thailand and Cambodia Displace Thousands
Ongoing violence at the border has led to casualties and significant displacement, prompting global calls for a ceasefire.
Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has intensified, marking a second day of violent clashes that have resulted in at least 16 fatalities and rendered tens of thousands of residents homeless. The border conflict, which erupted on Thursday, signifies the latest chapter in a historical dispute that has persisted for more than a century.
In Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces, the clashes have injured numerous individuals and displaced about 100,000 civilians, while the Cambodian province of Oddar Meanchey has seen an evacuation of approximately 1,500 families.
Leaders within the region are actively calling for an immediate ceasefire. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), expressed optimism regarding both countries showing a willingness to pursue peaceful solutions.
Reports indicate that casualties include 14 civilians and one soldier in Thailand, while Cambodia has confirmed at least one civilian death amid the ongoing conflict. The United States has echoed calls for peace, emphasizing the need for immediate cessation of violence and protection for civilians.
Apart from the US, other nations and organizations, including China, Australia, the European Union, and France, have expressed deep concern over the escalation and encouraged dialogue. The United Nations Security Council is set to convene to discuss the situation following a plea from Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet for intervention.
Both nations have engaged in a blame game regarding the initiation of hostilities. Thailand asserts that the conflict was ignited by Cambodia deploying surveillance drones against Thai forces, while Cambodia accuses Thailand of violating prior agreements and maneuvering troops near a disputed Khmer-Hindu temple.
This tension has roots that stretch back to the 20th century when the borders were drawn following French colonial rule in Cambodia. The recent skirmish escalates ongoing animosities that have sporadically flared over the years; the latest concerned skirmish began months back when a Cambodian soldier lost his life, further souring diplomatic relations between the two countries.
