Cambodia has issued a plea for an immediate ceasefire after two days of intense fighting along its disputed border with Thailand, which has left several dead and many more injured. The clashes mark a dangerous escalation in long-standing territorial tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations.
Rising Tensions on the Border
The recent violence erupted near the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been a flashpoint for conflict between Cambodia and Thailand for over a decade. Both sides have accused each other of provocation, with artillery and small arms fire reported across the contested zone.
Human Cost of the Conflict
Casualty figures remain unclear, but reports suggest at least a dozen soldiers and civilians have been killed, with dozens more wounded. Hospitals near the border are reportedly overwhelmed, and thousands of villagers have fled their homes to escape the fighting.
International Response
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has called for restraint from both parties, while the United Nations has offered to mediate. Analysts warn that continued fighting could destabilise the entire region and impact vital trade routes.
Historical Context
This latest outbreak of violence follows years of intermittent clashes over the 11th-century temple complex, which sits on disputed territory. A 2013 International Court of Justice ruling attempted to clarify the border, but tensions have persisted.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated: "We cannot allow these senseless deaths to continue. Dialogue, not bullets, must resolve our differences." Thai officials have yet to respond publicly to the ceasefire call.
