 |
| Clashes between Thailand and Cambodia continued for the third day Sunday, leaving 11 troops dead. |
Press TV
Fresh clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops have reportedly left at least 11 people dead from both sides along the disputed Thailand-Cambodia border.
The current round of clashes began on Friday and both sides have been using long range heavy artillery, military commanders on both sides confirmed.
In his weekly television show, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that sporadic clashes have taken place with Cambodia.
"We have no intention to invade or attack anyone," and that it is a duty to protect the country's sovereignty, he said.
The last round of clashes between the two neighbors occurred in February when four days of fighting left eight soldiers and civilians dead.
Clashes between the two neighbors have erupted several times since 2008. Both have competing claims over small swaths of land along the border. Skirmishes erupted after Cambodia's 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple was given UN World Heritage status despite Thai objections.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called on both parties to implement an effective and verifiable ceasefire.
Ban said the dispute cannot be resolved by military means and both sides should engage in "serious dialogue.”
“The secretary general calls on both sides to exercise maximum restraint and to take immediate measures to put in place for an effective and verifiable ceasefire,” said UN spokesman Martin Nesirky.
Meanwhile, thousands of villagers have been evacuated from their homes and are sheltering in camps on either side of the porous border.
0 comments:
Post a Comment