(Bloomberg) – Thailand said that its navy joined the army in repeling Cambodian attacks on the new border in their controversial border, because the victim from the growing conflict climbed to at least 30.
Naval operations at the beginning of Saturday followed the intrusion of Cambodian troops in three different points in the province of the Thai East, the Thai Defense Ministry said in a statement. The counter -operation of naval forces was able to push Cambodian soldiers interfering with Thai territory.
“Thailand stands firmly in the defense of its sovereignty,” the ministry said. “Aggression will not be tolerated.”
Cambodia, in turn, accused Thai forces of expanding its offensive deep into its territory against non -military goals, including schools, pagod and residential areas. Thai forces fired heavy artillery shells into several Cambodian regions outside the conflict zone, Khmer Times and the goal of the Ministry of Defense Mala Socheat was told.
The renewed clashes followed two days of intense fighting, which recorded the use of fighter aircraft, rocket launchers and heavy artillery across several border areas, which forced both countries evacuate more than 100,000 people from conflict zones.
Thailand put the victim on his side on 19, including six soldiers from fighting on Thursday, with more than 60 people injured. Cambodia announced 13 deaths, including five soldiers and injuries 70 others.
The deadliest clash between two nations in more than decades came when the long -term tension of the border broke into a full conflict. Two Thai soldiers were crippled in explosives and a Cambodian soldier who was killed in May on a border skirmish – the beginning of the current distance.
Thailand and Cambodia claimed that it was only in self -defense, and Bangkok insists to stop the Cambodian hostile enemy object before the ceasefire. On Saturday, the Thai army also reported clashes in SA Keoo, which participated in the number of border provinces to six out of seven.
Both countries share a long history of border tension, although relationships have remained largely stable from a deadly conflict that left dozens of dead. The last main flare focused on the Preah Vihear temple, a long -term flash point that dates back to the French colonial era.
Most of the current disputes stem from maps drawn from various interpretations of Franco-Siam’s contracts from the early 20th century, which defined the border between Thai and Cambodia, then part of the French Indochina.
Read: What is the deadly Thailand-Kambadia Border Clash?: Quicktake
While the US, China and Malaysia addressed both parties to facilitate the ceasefire, Thailand said it was intending to bilaterally solve hostility. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said his country was prepared for a design for a ceasefire, which was mediated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anware Ibrahim as the current chairman of the regional group Asean. But Thailand retired from the last minute agreement, he said on Friday.
A special meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday – participated by Cambodia and Thailand – demanded to limit and resolve conflict by bilaterally peaceful means. The Council also insisted on immediate de-schooling of tension and ceasefire and at the same time supported Asean’s role in mediation, said Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongs on Saturday.
Thailand, however, does not disath the profession of military action and Cambodia must first end its hostility, Maris told reporters.
“Cambodia must show evidence of good faith to end this conflict,” Maris said, thanking Malaysia for his offer to make it easier for his offer. “He must end aggression and attacks on Thailand.”
The conflict comes in a dangerous time for both countries because they face a number of economic challenges, including the imminent threat of steep American tariffs. While neighboring Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam have arranged trade agreements with Trump’s administration, the export Thailand dependent on the agreement has not yet seen the agreement.
Border clashes also risk worsening the political crisis in Thailand. His leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra has already been suspended as Prime Minister regarding her alleged incorrect treatment of borderline dispute.
Her coalition led by Pheu Thai is on shaky soil, because the defect of the key party last month reduced it to a slim majority and now faces the threat of more anti -government protests looking for its release.
(Update with comments from Thai Foreign Minister in the 12th paragraph.)
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