Thailand bombs Cambodian border area as ceasefire talks continue
Thailand launched air strikes on a disputed border area with Cambodia on Friday; Officials from both sides were continuing talks to end the conflict.
The Thai Air Force said it struck a Cambodian “fortified military position” after civilians fled the area. Cambodia’s defense ministry accused Thailand of “indiscriminate attacks” on civilians’ homes, injuring many.
Fighting resumed earlier this month after a fragile ceasefire in July halted five days of intense border clashes.
At least 41 people have been killed and almost a million people have been displaced since the conflict resumed.
Both countries blamed each other for the breakdown of the ceasefire.
Since then, fighting has spread to almost every province along the 800 km border.
Cambodia’s defense ministry said Friday’s attacks were in the northwestern province of Banteay Meanchey. In the ministry’s Facebook post, it was stated that up to 40 bombs were dropped from F-16 warplanes.
Thailand said the action was aimed at taking control of Nong Chan village and was “carried out effectively and successfully”.
This came as Thai and Cambodian negotiators held their third day of talks at a border checkpoint. Defense ministers from both sides will participate in the discussions on Saturday.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday that a ceasefire agreement could be signed if both sides accept each other’s conditions.
“I hope this time will be the last agreement we have to sign, so that peace can occur in the region,” he said.[and] People can go back home.”
The United States and China are also trying to mediate a new ceasefire.
The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia dates back more than a century, and there have been sporadic clashes over the years in which soldiers and civilians have died on both sides.
However, tensions increased after a Cambodian soldier was killed in combat in May. And on July 24, the situation escalated dramatically following Cambodia’s rocket bombardment of Thailand, followed by Thai airstrikes. This led to five days of intense fighting that resulted in the deaths of dozens of soldiers and civilians.
