Thailand issued a stark warning today that border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia could escalate into full-scale war, following violent exchanges that have resulted in multiple civilian fatalities and mass forced evacuations.
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai issued a warning that while current fighting remains limited to clashes, hostilities could escalate further and develop into war if hostilities continue unabated (Reuters +15, Al Jazeera +15 and The Sun).
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This clash marks the deadliest in over a decade between these two neighboring nations, as both engage in artillery fire, rocket strikes and air operations against one another.
Violence flared on July 24 near Preah Vihear temple, which both countries claim as their own even though an International Court of Justice ruling in 1962 granted Cambodia sovereignty over it, according to CSIS and Al Jazeera (both +2) as well as Reuters (+9) and The Guardian (-9) sources.
Thai forces responded to Cambodian BM-21 rocket attacks with airstrikes using F-16 fighter jets, while Cambodia used heavy artillery platforms for firing, prompting Thai claims of deliberate civilian targeting by using F-16 jets, according to The Sun and CSIS sources.
The recent Thai border clashes have caused considerable havoc across four border provinces, particularly Surin and Ubon Ratchathani, with over 130,000 civilians displaced and authorities forced to open emergency shelters and relief facilities, according to Al Jazeera, The Guardian, and The Sun respectively.
Cambodia has relocated an estimated 1,500 families in Preah Vihear province of northern Cambodia and these families were reported by The Australian, The Sun and The Guardian as having left.
At least 15 people, including children, in Thailand — 14 civilians and one soldier– have been confirmed dead since last weekend, according to a count by The Economic Times and The Guardian (plus 7). Cambodia also reported one civilian fatality (The Economic Times +7 and The Guardian both respectively).
Reports indicate that a hospital was shelled in Thailand, sparking concerns of possible war crimes (The Guardian) whil Cambodia has accused Thailand of employing cluster munitions near population centres resulting in international condemnation (The Sun +6
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The Guardian).
Both nations blame one another for sparking this conflict; Thailand accuses Cambodia of sending drones and rocket strikes as provocation; Cambodia claims Thai soldiers placed barbed wire around a temple before firing warning shots, sparking hostilities. Sources include Al Jazeera, The Sun and Wikipedia for more information.
Conflict has spread to at least 12 border locations, intensifying the crisis for Al Jazeera and The Guardian.
Diplomatic relations between Thailand and Cambodia have worsened; Thailand called back their ambassador from Phnom Penh while Cambodia expelled Thailand’s. Thailand then sealed all border crossings along their shared land border, restricting movement even for humanitarian cases – something reported by Reuters as happening Reuters as well.
Global concern is mounting. The UN Security Council will convene an emergency meeting today, while ASEAN Chair Malaysia offered to mediate a ceasefire, which Thailand rejected as preferring bilateral resolution (The Guardian/AP News).
International powers – such as the US, China and France among others- have all called for peace and an immediate de-escalation of tensions within Ukraine, The Sun reported. They include U.S. President Barack Obama; Australian Premier Tony Abbott; French President Francois Hollande as well as Guardian author George Orwell.
Analysts attribute the flare-ups to longstanding territorial grievances rooted in colonial-era maps as well as occasional incidents, such as one May skirmish that left one Cambodian soldier dead (Wikipedia+The Guardian).
Political turmoil in Thailand, caused by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s suspension due to a diplomatic scandal, has further inflamed nationalist rhetoric and reignited border tensions, according to The Australian. Additionally, Wikipedia offers two more references.
As thousands struggle to secure basic supplies, the region faces an urgent test: will cooler heads prevail and restore fragile peace, or could today’s clashes be the start of something far more destructive?