Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Striking During Border Peace Talks Amid Ongoing Clashes
Cambodian defence ministry alleges that Thailand conducted a heavy bombardment in Banteay Meanchey province on the morning of Friday, deploying F-16 jets to drop as many as 40 bombs in the Chok Chey village area between 6:08 and 7:15 am.
This accusation comes while Cambodian and Thai officials were engaged in the third day of border talks at a checkpoint, with defence ministers scheduled to meet on Saturday to further discuss the conflict.
The ongoing border clashes have had a devastating humanitarian impact: official reports indicate that more than 40 people have been killed and about one million displaced. A camp near the Thailand border currently houses over 4,000 displaced individuals, with refugees collecting ID cards on Christmas Day amid this turmoil.
Both Cambodia and Thailand blame each other for initiating the fighting, each asserting self-defence while accusing the other side of attacking civilians. The conflict stems partly from a colonial-era demarcation of an 800-kilometer frontier and contested temple ruins along the border.
Thai media reported that Cambodian forces launched intense overnight attacks in Sa Kaeo province, damaging several homes.
Efforts to resolve the conflict have faced setbacks, as a ceasefire brokered in July by the US, China, and Malaysia collapsed shortly thereafter. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet recently spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio via phone, discussing ways to secure a ceasefire along the border.
The situation remains tense as both countries continue to seek peaceful resolutions amidst ongoing violence and displacement.
