HEAVY fighting raged at four border provinces today (July 25), the second day of clashes along Thai-Cambodian border, with almost a hundred Cambodian soldiers killed at Phu Phi viewpoint in Si Sa Ket province, Amarin TV said this evening.
Lt. Col. Richa Suksuwanon, the army’s spokesperson, said six Thai soldiers have died with five being sergeants and one a private.
At 4 p.m. the Operations Centre of the 2nd Army Region said in a document summarising the fighting today that Cambodian forces are continuing their strategy of using infantry to close in on Thai troops in attacking with intermittent support of gunfire.
The clashes, at Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, are mainly taking place at Chong Bok, Sam Tae, Phu Makhuea, Chong Ta Tao, Prasat Ta Muen Thom Temple and Prasat Ta Kwai Temple.
People living along the border at these four provinces are being continuously evacuated with the total taking shelter reaching 63,446.
Meanwhile Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet accused Thailand of agreeing to a ceasefire with Cambodia, started at midnight on July 24, following a proposal by Malaysian Prime Minister and Asean rotating chair Anwar Ibrahim but just one hour after the phone conversation with the Asean chair, retracting its position, Phnom Penh Post reported
Manet issued the clarification to avoid any misinterpretation of the facts, particularly from the Thai government and media. In a Facebook post on the evening of July 25, he explained that he had spoken by phone with Anwar regarding the ongoing clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces along the border.
During the conversation, Anwar expressed concern about the fighting and shared his desire for an immediate ceasefire to pave the way for a resolution between the two parties.
“I clearly affirmed to His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim that Cambodia agreed with his proposal for a ceasefire, as Cambodia did not initiate this conflict,” said Manet.
However Thai military clearly stated that the border clashes were started by Cambodian troops yesterday morning after they brought arms to Prasart Ta Muen Thom Temple even though it had been agreed that weapons were not allowed there then opened fire at a nearby base.
CAPTION:
Representative image of border clashes. Credit: Amarin TV
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