Now Reading: Escalation between Thailand and Cambodia leaves 16 dead and threatens to escalate into open warfare
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Escalation between Thailand and Cambodia leaves 16 dead and threatens to escalate into open warfare
Escalation between Thailand and Cambodia leaves 16 dead and threatens to escalate into open warfare
Armed clashes over a border dispute have already forced the evacuation of more than 138,000 people. The UN Security Council will meet urgently in view of the seriousness of the conflict.
Armed clashes on the border
Thailand warned Friday that clashes with Cambodia could escalate into a "full-scale" war. It is the second consecutive day of hostilities between the two countries, in a border area marked by historic territorial disputes. The fighting - involving tanks, artillery, fighter jets and BM-21 rockets - has already left at least 16 dead and dozens wounded.
Thai interim Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the conflict "remains limited to localized clashes," but did not rule out war if the situation escalates.
Mass evacuations and use of heavy weapons
The Thai Ministry of Interior reported that more than 138,000 civilians have been evacuated from four provinces bordering Cambodia. Among them, 428 were hospital patients. The toll in Thailand is 15 dead - one military and 14 civilians - and 46 injured. Cambodia reported one dead and five injured.
During the early hours of Friday morning, fighting resumed at three points, according to the Thai military, which accused Cambodian forces of launching heavy artillery and rocket attacks. Thai troops responded with "appropriate supporting fire." Two ancient temples located in combat zones were also hit.
Diplomatic crisis and international reaction
Diplomatic tension grew following a landmine incident that injured five Thai soldiers. In response, Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its representative in Phnom Penh for consultations. Cambodia responded by recalling almost its entire diplomatic corps in Bangkok and downgrading bilateral relations.
The UN Security Council will meet urgently behind closed doors at the request of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The United States and France have called for an immediate ceasefire, while the European Union and China expressed deep concern and called for dialogue.
Background to the conflict and role of ASEAN
Between 2008 and 2011, the two countries have already engaged in clashes that caused 28 deaths. In 2013, an International Court of Justice ruling favored Cambodia, but tensions resurfaced in May this year after the death of a soldier in a new border clash.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has expressed concern about this new crisis. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had spoken with the leaders of both countries, who showed "positive signals" towards a peaceful solution.
