Deadly Gunbattle Erupts Between Thailand and Cambodia in the “Emerald Triangle” Region
The English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and France 24, reported that amid renewed fighting between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, the Thai army confirmed three civilian injuries caused by Cambodian rocket fire.
Thailand and Cambodia have long been locked in a fierce dispute over a border area known as the Emerald Triangle. This region is where the borders of Thailand,Cambodia,and Laos converge,containing several ancient temples.
This decades-long conflict led to violent clashes more than 15 years ago and again in May. the latest wave of fighting began early today near two border temples situated between Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar meanchey province.
Maly Socheta, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense, stated: ”The Thai military violated the Kingdom of Cambodia’s territorial integrity through armed attacks on our deployed forces. the Cambodian armed forces exercised their legitimate right to self-defense fully aligned with international law to repel Thai aggression and protect Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Conversely, the Thai military blamed Cambodian soldiers for initiating hostilities before accusing them of targeting civilians.
The recent surge in violence erupted hours after Thailand expelled Cambodia’s ambassador. This followed protests against an incident where five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine explosion. In response,Thailand also recalled its envoy from Cambodia.
