A territorial dispute that goes back decades in Southeast Asia has escalated in into a deadly military conflict.
Thailand’s acting prime minister has now warned that border clashes with Cambodia, in which over a dozen civilians have been killed, could escalate into a full-scale war.
More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand’s border regions, its health ministry said.
The Southeast Asian neighbors have been embroiled in a territorial dispute dating back to the French colonial era.
RT reports: The latest escalation followed heightened tensions that began in late May, when a Cambodian soldier was reportedly killed. The countries have blamed each other for provoking the violence and called on the international community to intervene.
The conflict currently “remains limited to clashes,” but the risk of escalation remains, acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters in Bangkok.
Fighting resumed early Friday, according to Thailand’s military. Bangkok later deployed F-16 fighter jets to strike Cambodian military positions.
Cambodian officials said Thai attacks in Oddar Meanchey province had caused civilian casualties, including the death of the abbot of the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple.
Thailand had previously reported 14 civilian deaths allegedly resulting from Cambodian artillery fire. Both governments have ordered evacuations from border areas, and more than 100,000 people have been displaced so far.
The clashes have continued despite calls for a ceasefire by international leaders. The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene Friday to address the crisis.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said he had spoken with both Phumtham and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to urge an immediate ceasefire.
”I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward,” Anwar said, offering Malaysia’s assistance.
China, which maintains close ties with both Thailand and Cambodia, said the two countries’ long-term interests would be best served by a peaceful resolution.
”Bearing in mind the common interest and concerns of regional countries, China upholds a just and impartial stance,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Thursday.
Bangkok has downgraded diplomatic relations with Phnom Penh. Despite rising tensions, cross-border air service continues, according to Cambodia’s aviation authority, which has instructed civilian flights to avoid the conflict zones.