Thailand and Cambodia have long had a border dispute
What you should know
At least 12 people have been killed in a military clash in the border area between Southeast Asian countries Thailand and Cambodia. The Thai news portal Thai Enquirer reported that Cambodia fired a rocket at a residential area.
The clash between the armies of the two countries has started in the border area since Thursday morning. Cambodia has not yet provided information on how much damage has been done. With the clashes, Thailand has closed its border with Cambodia.
Similarly, Cambodia has also accused the Thai army of using excessive force. Both countries have asked the citizens of the border area to move to safe places. Thailand is moving about 40,000 citizens to safe places. In Surin, Sisaket and Buriram provinces in the border region, about 600 schools have been closed Thai Enquirer has reported.
According to Thai authorities, 11 civilians and one soldier died, including an 8-year-old boy. Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) claimed on Thursday that the Cambodian army also carried out a drone attack. Thailand has accused Cambodia of firing a BM-21 rocket. Cambodia has accused the Thai army of starting the conflict.
Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting?
There has been a border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand for almost a hundred years. Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953. The boundary line between the two countries was drawn at that time. In 2008, Cambodia tried to register the 11th century temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the dispute between the two countries reached its peak. Since then, there have been occasional clashes between the two countries.
After the death of a Cambodian soldier last May, the relationship between the two countries became more strained. In the last two months, both countries have been imposing sanctions on each other. Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, Phumtham Vechachai, described the dispute with Cambodia as "sensitive" and said that it should be resolved carefully and in accordance with international law.
Similarly, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, has said that he wants to resolve the dispute in his country peacefully. But at the same time, he warned, 'We have no choice but to respond with armed resistance to armed attacks.'
According to the Thai news portal The Nation, the Thai army has launched the 'Yutth Bodin' operation against Cambodia. Which means 'extreme war for the protection of land'. According to The Nation, 'Yutth' means 'war' and 'Bodin' means sacred or royal land.
