Border clashes: Seven killed, 20 injured in Cambodia; Thailand alleges ‘rocket and drone attacks’ – top developments

Cambodia and Thailand engaged in cross-border clashes on Tuesday, marking the third consecutive day of fighting over their disputed boundary.Both countries have accused each other of instigating the renewed violence, which follows a five-day conflict in July that ended with a truce mediated by the United States, China, and Malaysia, the current chair of the regional bloc ASEAN.In October, US President Donald Trump supported a subsequent joint declaration, but Thailand suspended the agreement the following month, leading to renewed accusations and clashes between the two sides.Here are the latest updates:Cambodia accuses Thailand of shelling border provinceThe Cambodian defence ministry reported on Facebook that the Thai military fired shells into the Banteay Meanchey province after midnight, killing two people.Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata later told reporters that, as of Tuesday morning, seven civilians had died and 20 others were wounded in the attacks.In a separate statement, the ministry said Thailand resumed attacks around 5:00 am Tuesday in several border areas, including regions surrounding centuries-old temples such as the UNESCO World Heritage site, Preah Vihear Temple.Cambodia’s actions ‘retaliatory’: Former PM Hun SenCambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen described his country’s offensive as “retaliation,” saying it had exercised patience for 24 hours.“After being patient for more than 24 hours to respect the ceasefire and allow time to evacuate people to safety, yesterday evening we retaliated, and again this morning. Now we fight to defend ourselves,” Sen wrote on Facebook.Cambodia attacked with rockets and drones: Thai armyThe Thai army accused Cambodia of launching rocket and drone attacks. According to the military, Cambodian forces fired artillery at a village in Sa Kaeo province early Tuesday morning, though the strike caused no casualties.Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri of Thailand’s navy announced the naval force is reinforcing its positions in eastern Thailand near the Cambodian border.Bangkok reported that one soldier has been killed and 18 others wounded since Sunday.Thai PM vows not to tolerate ‘violation of sovereignty’ In a televised address on Monday, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul affirmed that military operations would continue as needed to defend the country and ensure public safety. “Thailand has never sought violence. I want to emphasize that we have never initiated a fight or an invasion, but we will never tolerate a violation of our sovereignty,” Charnvirakul said.Cambodia holds emergency meeting with foreign diplomatsAccording to the Khmer Times, Cambodia’s ministry of foreign affairs held an emergency meeting on Tuesday with 30 foreign diplomats and representatives from three international organizations, including the United Nations. The ministry used the meeting to present what it described as Thai attacks on Cambodia in “violation of the peace agreement.”UN, EU urge restraintUN secretary-general António Guterres, the European Union (EU), and the Malaysian Prime Minister have urged Cambodia and Thailand to “exercise maximum restraint.” A UN statement quoted Guterres saying, “I urge both parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation. I also call on them to recommit to the ceasefire brokered earlier this year.” An EU spokeswoman added, “The recent exchange of fire between Cambodia and Thailand is an escalation in hostilities. The EU calls on both countries to exercise maximum restraint and return to the Joint Declaration signed on 26 October, along with the confidence-building measures outlined therein.”(With agency inputs)