Clashes at Thailand-Cambodia border result in 32 fatalities and more than 130 injuries.

Cambodian officials have reported a tragic escalation in the ongoing border conflict with Thailand, with the death toll now reaching 32. This intensifying situation raises significant concerns regarding the potential for a protracted confrontation between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.

On Saturday, Maly Socheata, a spokesperson for the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence, disclosed that seven civilians and five soldiers were among the latest casualties. The unrest intensified following a devastating incident in which a Cambodian man lost his life due to Thai rocket fire targeting a Buddhist pagoda where he was seeking refuge. In addition to the fatalities, the Cambodian military has reported that at least 50 civilians and more than 20 soldiers have sustained injuries from the recent hostilities.

Thailand has also faced significant losses, reporting the deaths of 13 civilians, including children, and six soldiers over the past two days, with additional injuries reported among 29 Thai soldiers and 30 civilians following Cambodian strikes. The escalating violence has led to a mass exodus, with over 20,000 residents being evacuated from Cambodia’s northern border region and approximately 138,000 individuals from Thailand’s border areas, prompting the establishment of around 300 evacuation centers as a precautionary measure.

The conflict, which has its roots in a longstanding territorial dispute over a section of the Thai-Cambodian border, reignited dramatically last Thursday after an explosion from a landmine injured five Thai soldiers. Reports indicate that both Thailand and Cambodia have engaged in retaliatory strikes, each accusing the other of initiating the violence.

Thailand has voiced concerns over the use of long-range rockets in Cambodian attacks, including a reported strike on a petrol station that resulted in multiple fatalities. In response, the Thai military deployed an F-16 fighter jet to target Cambodian positions, which led to further casualties.

Cambodia has accused Thailand of employing cluster munitions in their military operations, a tactic that is widely condemned due to its indiscriminate nature and the potential for harming civilians. In a strong statement, Phumtham Wechayachai, acting Prime Minister of Thailand, suggested that Cambodia may have committed war crimes due to civilian casualties and damage inflicted on medical facilities.

In the wake of these developments, the United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting to address the rising tensions, during which all 15 member states urged both parties to de-escalate hostilities and pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Diplomatic efforts remain critical as the world watches the situation unfold, highlighting the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing border disputes and fostering regional stability.

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