CCTV News reported that on July 30 local time, the commander of the military operation area in Preah Vihear, Chansopheap, informed foreign military attaches stationed in Cambodia that after the ceasefire agreement took effect, Thailand illegally captured 20 Cambodian soldiers on the morning of the 29th, one of whom escaped. He also stated that during this period, the Cambodian army strictly abided by the ceasefire agreement reached between the two countries' leaders.

Chansopheap introduced that shortly after the ceasefire agreement took effect, around 5 a.m. on the morning of July 29, Thai troops in the conflict area smiled and waved to indicate, while calling on Cambodian soldiers to approach. The Cambodian side then sent about 5 to 6 people to contact them. The two sides shook hands and greeted each other on the spot, showing a friendly gesture. Subsequently, the Thai side invited about 20 Cambodian soldiers to take a photo for "memorizing the ceasefire." During the photo-taking, Thai soldiers suddenly rushed out from the forest with guns and quickly seized the Cambodian personnel.

A Cambodian soldier successfully escaped. The escaping soldier reported to his superiors that after the Thai forces seized them, they immediately shot two of the soldiers, who were suspected to have died. The remaining personnel's fate is unknown, and they have not been released yet.

The Cambodian side pointed out that the Thai military's action seriously violated the ceasefire agreement previously reached between Cambodia and Thailand.

On the morning of the 30th, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense invited diplomatic envoys and defense attaches from China, the United States, Russia, France, Japan, Australia, and multiple member states of ASEAN to visit the Cambodia-Thailand border, to inspect the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in person, and to visit the damaged cultural relics and residential areas.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded that on the morning of the 29th, Cambodian soldiers launched an armed attack by invading Thai territory, using "light weapons and hand grenades," forcing the Thai military to exercise self-defense and the right to protect territorial integrity. Some of the Cambodian soldiers were injured and surrendered, and were subsequently detained by the Thai side. The Thai side accused the Cambodian side of violating the ceasefire agreement.

Thai Prime Minister's Office spokesperson Jirapong also announced this conflict, stating, "The Thai side successfully controlled the situation," and at 8 a.m. local time, "the overall situation along the border was normal."

Previously, starting from the 24th, Cambodia and Thailand had conflicts in the border area, and both sides accused each other of violating international law. Under the chairmanship of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar, Cambodia and Thailand held talks on the 28th and agreed to "immediately and unconditionally" cease-fire from midnight on the same day, ending the border conflict that had lasted several days. On the 29th, the Thai Army and the Cambodian Ministry of Defense separately confirmed that the commanders of the two countries' military regions held talks in the border area to implement the ceasefire agreement. The two countries also agreed to hold a joint border committee meeting on August 4, hosted by Cambodia.

This article is an exclusive work of the Observer, and it is not allowed to be reprinted without authorization.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7532885250553233970/

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