Fourth day of clashes despite proposals of ceased fire
New clashes were recorded between Thailand and Cambodia this morning for the fourth day, despite both sides had declared themselves ready to discuss a ceased after the intervention of the President of the United States Donald Trump.
The two neighboring countries of Southeast Asia, destinations coveted by millions of foreign tourists, are involved in their bloom conflict in recent years, with at least 34 ascertained deaths and over 200,000 displaced people. This morning new artillery clashes have broken out near two ancient temples for a long time in the border region between northern Cambodia and the Sudoriental Thailand. The spokesman for the Cambodian Ministry of Defense, Maly Socheata, said that the Thai forces began to attack the areas around the temples at 4.50 in the morning, just before the Italian midnight.
After Trump’s appeal, the interim premier of Thailand, Phumham Wechayachai, said he had agreed in principle of stipulating a ceasefire and start the talks “as soon as possible” but today the two countries have again accused each other that they have undermined peace efforts. The Thai Foreign Ministry has also accused the Cambodian forces of having shot bullets against civilian homes in the province of Surin. On Cambodian, the spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, Maly Socheata, has released a declaration in which he denies that his forces have opened fire first and accuses the Thailand of “resolved and coordinated acts of aggression”. Cambodia also accused Thai forces of having used cluster ammunition, while Thailand accused Cambodia of having targeted hospitals.
The clashes mark a dramatic escalation in the dispute between the two countries that share a border 800 kilometers long with wide disputes.
