The US has asked Thailand and Cambodia to cease hostilities immediately as border clashes extended for a third day, killing at least 10 people and displacing hundreds of thousands. The two nations must follow de-escalatory measures outlined in a peace accord brokered by US President Donald Trump in October, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. Trump has also stated he would make a phone call to stop the fighting, which is the most serious escalation since clashes in July that resulted in numerous casualties. Both countries have blamed each other for reigniting the conflict, which has included air strikes and artillery exchanges.
The death toll over three days stands at 10, with seven fatalities from Cambodia and three from Thailand. Thai officials report the evacuation of more than 400,000 people, while Cambodia has moved around 100,000 to shelters. Thailand's defense ministry emphasizes that military actions were a last resort, claiming the need for safety and security for citizens. Conversely, Cambodia accused Thailand of conducting aggressive military attacks targeting civilian areas and cultural sites.
In a significant geopolitical move, Cambodia announced its withdrawal from the South East Asian Games hosted in Thailand, following concerns from the families of athletes. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged both sides to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation, highlighting the serious humanitarian impacts of the ongoing conflict.
The current tensions stem from a longstanding border dispute that intensified in July following a Cambodian rocket barrage into Thailand, which prompted Thai airstrikes. Efforts to broker peace, including a ceasefire agreement signed with US mediation, have failed to fully stabilize the situation. Violence has recently spread to several provinces in both countries, prompting travel warnings from nations including the UK, US, and Japan.
The death toll over three days stands at 10, with seven fatalities from Cambodia and three from Thailand. Thai officials report the evacuation of more than 400,000 people, while Cambodia has moved around 100,000 to shelters. Thailand's defense ministry emphasizes that military actions were a last resort, claiming the need for safety and security for citizens. Conversely, Cambodia accused Thailand of conducting aggressive military attacks targeting civilian areas and cultural sites.
In a significant geopolitical move, Cambodia announced its withdrawal from the South East Asian Games hosted in Thailand, following concerns from the families of athletes. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged both sides to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation, highlighting the serious humanitarian impacts of the ongoing conflict.
The current tensions stem from a longstanding border dispute that intensified in July following a Cambodian rocket barrage into Thailand, which prompted Thai airstrikes. Efforts to broker peace, including a ceasefire agreement signed with US mediation, have failed to fully stabilize the situation. Violence has recently spread to several provinces in both countries, prompting travel warnings from nations including the UK, US, and Japan.
