Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict: Phnom Penh Says 500,000 People Are Homeless

The Cambodian Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday that the two-week border conflict between the country and Thailand has led to at least 500,000 people being displaced.

Earlier, Thai authorities said that due to the resumption of border conflicts, 400,000 people in the border area are homeless.

The Cambodian Ministry of Interior stated on Sunday that more than 500,000 Cambodians, including women and children, have been forced to leave their homes to avoid attacks by Thai artillery fire and F16 fighter bombings. The specific number released by Cambodia is 518,611 people.

A spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Defense told the media on Sunday that the number of people evacuated and relocated to temporary shelters is decreasing, although more than 200,000 people are still staying in evacuation centers. The Thai side called on villagers trying to return home to follow instructions: "Beware of landmines."

The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict that broke out in July caused 43 deaths within five days. After a period of ceasefire, fighting resumed on December 12. According to official announcements from both sides, the conflict has resulted in at least 41 deaths, with 22 from Thailand and 19 from Cambodia. For a long time, the two Southeast Asian kingdoms have been disputing the borders drawn during the colonial era.

On Monday, ASEAN countries, including Thailand and Cambodia, will hold a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur to discuss solutions. Both Thailand and Cambodia said on Sunday that this meeting is important for easing border tensions.

However, Thailand reiterated its preconditions for negotiations: Phnom Penh should first cease hostilities and cooperate with Thailand to clear landmines. The Thai government did not guarantee that a ceasefire agreement could be reached. A government spokesperson said that the ceasefire depends on the assessment of the frontline situation by the Thai military.

The Cambodian Foreign Ministry said that the ASEAN special meeting aims to ease tensions and restore "peace, stability, and friendly relations" between the two countries.

At the end of October, US President Trump announced that Thailand and Cambodia had signed a ceasefire agreement under his mediation, but Bangkok soon terminated the agreement.

US Secretary of State Rubio said on Friday that he hopes Thailand and Cambodia will resume the ceasefire between Monday and Tuesday. China has also dispatched an Asia affairs special envoy to Phnom Penh and Bangkok to mediate.

According to the Cambodian Foreign Ministry, the Chinese special envoy met with Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh and called for both sides to cease hostilities.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1852166525679817/

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