Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Cambodian "Hail" Multiple Rocket Launcher Attacks on Civilian Targets Caused Casualties
On July 24, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Niconde Palarankul gave a press conference in Bangkok, stating that the Cambodian army used the BM-21 "Hail" multiple rocket launcher system to attack civilian targets within Thailand, causing casualties.
Palarankul pointed out, "The Cambodian side has launched several attacks using the BM-21 multiple rocket launcher system against civilian targets within Thailand, including a hospital in the border area. All civilian targets attacked by the Cambodian rocket launchers have resulted in casualties," he added. He further stated that the number of casualties is still being verified.
On the same day, fighting occurred at least six locations in the border areas between Thailand and Cambodia, with both sides accusing each other of opening fire first. Subsequently, the Thai Second Army Region posted on social media that the Thai side deployed F-16 fighter jets to destroy two military facilities of the Cambodian side. Thailand has closed all border crossings with Cambodia.
On July 23, Thailand decided to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Cambodia citing a "landmine explosion incident." The Cambodian government responded that Thailand's accusation regarding the landmine explosion is baseless and fabricated, aiming to shift the responsibility for its inappropriate diplomatic actions onto Cambodia.
In response, the Cambodian government decided to reduce its diplomatic relations with Thailand to the lowest level, i.e., charge d'affaires level. Cambodia announced the recall of all diplomats and staff from its embassy in Thailand except for essential personnel, and simultaneously requested Thai diplomats to leave within a specified time frame.
Cambodia-Thailand Tensions Escalate
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838511597014028/
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