Are Nearly 395,000 Cambodians Displaced Due to Ongoing Border Conflict with Thailand?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Nearly 395,000 Cambodians are displaced due to ongoing conflict.
- Over 200,000 women and nearly 100,000 children are among those affected.
- The conflict has escalated, with claims of attacks on civilian areas.
- Thai military has imposed curfews in affected regions.
- Ceasefire discussions are currently non-existent, heightening tensions.
Phnom Penh, Dec 15 (NationPress) The count of displaced Cambodian citizens has surged to almost 395,000 as the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand has now reached its eighth day, according to a statement from the Cambodian Ministry of Interior.
Among those displaced, the figures include 204,889 women and 95,949 children, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The conflict remains active as of Sunday, with Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson for the Cambodian Defence Ministry, confirming ongoing hostilities.
On Sunday, the Thai army condemned Cambodia for its attack on civilian regions in Si Sa Ket Province, which resulted in the death of one Thai civilian. A spokesperson for the Thai army indicated that there are currently no plans for a ceasefire.
The Royal Thai Army reported that Cambodian forces targeted a civilian neighborhood and a school in Si Sa Ket with BM-21 rockets, leading to one civilian's death due to shrapnel and igniting a residential fire.
The army expressed its strong disapproval of Cambodia's actions, which have led to civilian casualties over two consecutive days.
Regarding ceasefire discussions, Royal Thai Army Spokesperson Winthai Suvaree stated that ongoing attacks by Cambodia on both military sites and civilian areas have led to the absence of ceasefire arrangements, citing a significant security threat to Thailand.
In response to the escalating situation, Thailand's military declared a curfew in parts of Trat Province on Sunday.
Under an official directive, a curfew is now in effect in five districts of the province: Khlong Yai, Bo Rai, Laem Ngop, Khao Saming, and Mueang Trat. Residents in these districts are required to remain indoors from 19:00 to 05:00 the following day.
Reports from Thai media indicate that the military's curfew announcement followed an incident on Saturday evening, where three M79 grenades were launched at the Marine Corps Task Force headquarters in Trat Province, believed to have originated from within Thailand. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as the grenades landed in an uninhabited area.
This marks the second province to enforce a curfew amidst the renewed conflict at the Thailand-Cambodia border, with a curfew having already been established in four border districts of Sa Kaeo Province on Wednesday.