The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s efforts to revive a ceasefire agreement that Malaysia and President Donald Trump first brokered in July threatened to be undermined by the clashes early on Monday.
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Nearly one million people have been displaced along the border after the conflict resumed on December 8 and at least 40 have died as a result.
According to the Agence Kampuchea Press state news agency, Thailand is accused of using F-16 fighter jets to drop four bombs in the Banteay Meanchay province and of firing “toxic gas” in the Prey Chan village.
The Ministry stressed that Cambodian forces are closely monitoring the situation. They continue to fight back bravely and steadfastly against the aggressors, and they are vigilant about keeping Cambodia’s territorial integrity safe,” according to the report.
Online video footage showed young children and civilians sheltered from the bombardment. As the residents gathered together, some of the children could be heard groping.
The Cambodianess news outlet also reported artillery shelling in several Battambang province locations that left at least one civilian injured, citing the Cambodian army.
Cambodian forces were reportedly firing “heavy weapons,”igniting fires and damaging homes in the Khok Sung district early on Monday morning, according to Thailand’s Morning News TV 3.
The Thai government has not yet made any comments regarding the resumption of fighting.
An estimated 525, 000 civilians have been displaced on their side of the border as of Sunday evening, according to the office of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet earlier on Monday. As of Sunday, an additional one civilian had been killed in Odda Meanchey, according to a Monday statement from the interior ministry.
400 000 people have been displaced in their own territory, according to reports from Thai authorities.
Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul argued that Thailand had never been the aggressor and that nearly all of the areas that Cambodian forces had previously invaded have now been reclaimed.
Representatives from Thailand and Cambodia were scheduled to meet with the ASEAN leaders for the first time since the fighting broke out in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia claimed that Mohamad Hasan, the minister of foreign affairs, will discuss ways the regional bloc can ease the tensions and put an end to the fighting at the ASEAN talks.
Field observations are expected to be presented alongside satellite-monitoring data provided by an ASEAN team.
Thailand and Cambodia will be able to discuss openly, come to an agreement, and find a fair and lasting solution, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He stated to reporters last week that Hun Manet from Thailand and Hun Manet from Cambodia are both “looking forward to reaching an amicable resolution as soon as possible.”
On Sunday, the US Department of State urged both countries to “end hostilities, withdraw heavy weapons, stop emplacement of landmines, and fully implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.” The ASEAN leaders “coming together this week to support Cambodia and Thailand fully honoring their commitments to end this conflict,” the statement read.
The US and China have pursued separate diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, but neither has had any tangible results.
Source: Aljazeera
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