Cambodia formally requested an emergency Security Council meeting after military tension increased between Thailand and Cambodia, leading to fears of regional war.
Cambodia sent a formal letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres late Wednesday requesting international intervention and investigation of what it referred to as unprovoked acts of aggression by Thai military forces along the eastern border. This call came only hours after Thailand announced they carried out airstrikes as part of their “defensive operation.”
“Cambodia strongly opposes any use of military force against its sovereign territory and urges the UN Security Council to take swift and immediate steps to stop further escalation,” stated Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn during a press briefing in Phnom Penh. Our people deserve peace and security – not warplanes and artillery fire,” Sokhonn concluded.
Since Wednesday, when violent clashes broke out near the Cambodian-Thai border, leaving at least one Thai soldier dead and leading Thailand to close all official border crossings, tensions have steadily escalated further. Thai fighter jets then conducted targeted airstrikes that are believed to target armed groups operating near this frontier region.
Cambodia has denied harboring or supporting any paramilitary forces involved in the clashes and has claimed that airstrikes violated its territory integrity.
“This action constitutes a grave breach of international law and poses an immediate threat to regional stability,” according to Cambodia’s statement to the UN. While Cambodia reserves its right to defend its sovereignty, immediate de-escalation through dialogue and multilateral cooperation must occur immediately in order to reduce tensions.
UN officials in New York confirmed receipt of Cambodia’s request and advised Security Council members of consultations taking place among them. While no meeting had been set as of Thursday morning, diplomatic sources indicate discussions are proceeding quickly given the urgency of the situation.
Thailand, for its part, has not made direct remarks regarding Cambodia’s appeal to the UN but maintains that their actions were entirely defensive in nature. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called for calm while asserting that Thailand “does not intend to engage in any larger conflict and respects the sovereignty of all nations.”
Thailand has issued an ultimatum that any further acts of provocation will be met with swift action.
As international mediation calls increase, regional bloc ASEAN may also assist in defusing the crisis. On Tuesday night, its Secretariat released a short statement calling upon both countries to exercise “maximum restraint and commit to dialogue.”
Communities on both sides of the border are bracing themselves for uncertainty. Residents in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province and Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province reported an increased military presence, checkpoints, and evacuation drills.
Human rights groups have expressed grave concern regarding the potential humanitarian fallout if conflict escalates further. “Civilians, including migrant workers and children, are at risk,” according to Chariya Kem of Phnom Penh-based Civil Peace Initiative. She strongly urged international actors to act swiftly.
Thursday evening found all eyes focused on the United Nations as Cambodia awaits an official response to their plea.