Illustrative image. (Royal Thai Army)
Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire across their disputed border for a fourth day on July 27, hours after United States President Donald Trump announced the leaders of the two countries had agreed to ceasefire talks.
At least 32 people have been killed and more than 200,000 displaced since the start of the clashes on July 24, according to Thai and Cambodian officials.
The clashes broke out following two mine explosions that wounded several Thai troops in the Thai province of Ubon Ratchathani. The violence began at the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple site in the Thai province of Surin, which is also claimed by Cambodia, before spreading out to other disputed border areas.
Thailand and Cambodia share a 817-kilometer border, largely mapped by the French when they controlled Cambodia as a colony. Cambodia has previously sought a ruling from the United Nations International Court of Justice over disputed areas. However, Thailand does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction.
Thailand hit several locations in Cambodia with drones, tank fire, cluster and aerial bombs early on July 27 morning local time, a spokesperson for Cambodia’s defense ministry told reporters.
Meanwhile, the state-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand reported that Cambodian forces had fired artillery into Surin, damaging residential homes. Thai forces were responding, it added.
Thai and Cambodian leaders will meet in Malaysia on July 28 to discuss the escalating conflict, according to Malaysia’s state news agency, citing the country’s foreign minister.
The Thai government confirmed that acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will attend the meeting in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
“The Thai Government remains committed to defending the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Every square inch of it,” Thailand’s government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said, adding that the country will not negotiate on which maps are used during ceasefire talks.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will also attend the meeting in Kuala Lumpur, according to Malaysia’s official news agency.
A day earlier, Trump warned the Thai and Cambodia leaders that the U.S. would not make trade deals with either country if the deadly border conflict continues. He later announced that the leaders of both countries have agreed to initiate ceasefire talks. However, the continued clashes suggest that the conflict may not end so easily.
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to go to the west for peace and a ceasefire, is stupidity of the highest order.
they’re really accomplishing so much for themselves and their citizens with this stupidity. d**k waving idiots in a c**k fight