Thailand has evacuated 138,000 people from its border areas with Cambodia amid a second day of armed clashes that the country’s leadership has warned could escalate into full-scale war. About this informs The Guardian.
Clashes that began on July 24 resumed in the morning of July 25. These are the largest and bloodiest clashes between countries in the last decade. Fighting took place in 12 districts along the disputed section of the border.
“The current incident of aggression is escalating and may turn into a war. But now we are still at the level of conflict, with the use of heavy weapons. All we have done is to defend our land and the sovereignty of our country.” – said Acting Prime Minister of Thailand Poomtam Vechayachai.
According to officials, 138,000 people were evacuated from the four border provinces. The number of people killed as a result of hostilities has increased to 15 people, of which 14 are civilians. An eight-year-old boy was also among the dead.
Cambodian authorities have not yet released official reports of casualties or evacuations from their side. At the same time, an official from the province of Oddarmantei announced the death of one civilian and the wounding of five more people, as well as the evacuation of 1,500 families.
The Thai military said fighting continued overnight in Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces. “Cambodian forces conducted a continuous barrage using heavy weapons, field artillery and BM-21 missile systems. Thai forces responded with appropriate fire cover according to the tactical situation.”
The conflict erupted on July 24 after weeks of escalation amid a long-standing border dispute. Both countries accuse each other of starting hostilities.
These events became another episode of the long conflict along the 817-kilometer border between Thailand and Cambodia. Parts of this line remain disputed due to different interpretations of colonial maps. The rise in tension began back in May, when the sides exchanged fire on the disputed territory, which led to the death of a Cambodian serviceman.
The ongoing crisis escalated this week after five Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine attack. In response, Thailand recalled its ambassador from Cambodia and expelled the Cambodian ambassador from Bangkok. Thailand accuses Cambodia of planting mines in the disputed territory, a charge Cambodia denies.
The UN Security Council is expected to meet on July 25 to discuss the situation. The United States, as Thailand’s long-standing defense treaty ally, called on the parties to immediately end hostilities.
