On Wednesday, clashes at more than a dozen locations along the 817-kilometer Thai-Cambodian border marked some of the most intense fighting since a five-day battle in July that was the heaviest in recent history.
In July, Trump stopped the fighting with calls to both leaders in which he threatened to end trade talks if they did not end the conflict. Trump says he expects to speak with the leaders of the countries on Thursday.
– I think I can make them stop fighting. I think I should talk to them tomorrow – Trump told reporters on Wednesday.
But Thailand this time reacted more cautiously to offers from Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who helped broker the July deal that resulted in an extended ceasefire signed in October. Thailand insists that it is a matter between the two countries.
Ibrahim said he spoke with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia on Tuesday and, while no final solution was reached, he appreciated the “openness and willingness of both leaders to continue negotiations to ease tensions.”
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thursday he would “explain and clarify” the situation if Trump calls.
– He will have to hear the details directly from me if he contacts me, I believe that the Minister of Foreign Affairs will already provide information at the diplomatic level – he said.
Thailand and Cambodia blame each other for the latest clashes that began this week and exchange accusations that civilians have been targeted by artillery and rocket attacks.
– Right now, nobody wants a conflict, especially with neighboring countries, but Thailand is very confident that it is being attacked. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country – said Anutin.
On Wednesday evening, Cambodia’s interior ministry announced that houses, schools, roads, pagodas and ancient temples had been damaged by “increased Thai shelling and F-16 airstrikes targeting civilian villages and settlements up to 30 kilometers inside Cambodian territory”.
On Thursday, Cambodia’s defense ministry accused Thailand of “brutal acts of aggression” against civilian targets, including schools and temples.
Thailand denies targeting civilian infrastructure.
The clashes have already taken a heavy civilian toll, with 10 Cambodians killed, including an infant, and 60 wounded, according to the government.
Nine Thai soldiers were killed in the fighting and more than 120 were wounded, the Thai military said. Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from border areas in both countries, reports AFP.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
