The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has left 33 people dead and more than 168,000 displaced
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The tension that started three days ago in the border area between Thailand and Cambodia is still ongoing. There was a clash between these two neighbors in the border area on Saturday as well.
So far, at least 33 people have died and more than 168,000 have been displaced. With the increase in tension, the international pressure for a ceasefire is increasing on both sides.
There has been shelling in the border area on Saturday as well. Tensions escalated after five Thai soldiers were injured when an underground tunnel exploded in the border area on Thursday. Cambodian and Thai authorities have claimed retaliation. Both countries have recalled their ambassadors and Thailand has closed its northeastern border with Cambodia amid rising border tensions.
According to Cambodian officials, 12 more people died on Saturday. With this, the number of deaths on the Cambodia side has reached 13, while Thai officials have said that 20 people have died so far, including one soldier.
There has been a border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia for decades. Although there have been minor skirmishes and disputes in the past, the tension that started with the death of a Cambodian soldier last May has created a diplomatic rift between the two countries. And, in addition, it has brought upheaval in Thailand's domestic politics.
Human Rights Watch has called on the UN Security Council and relevant governments to pressure both sides to comply with international humanitarian law and protect civilians in the Thai and Cambodian governments. "Children have been harmed and Thai authorities have closed at least 852 schools and 7 hospitals for security reasons," said a statement released by Watch on Saturday.
As the tension between Thailand and Cambodia escalates, it threatens to destabilize the entire Asian region. Keeping this in mind, the emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council held on Friday has asked the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to reduce tensions and mediate for a peaceful solution.
Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, chairman of ASEAN, has said that Thailand and Cambodia agree in principle to the cease-fire proposal. According to Malaysian media, Anwar has given the responsibility of mediating the peace talks to the foreign minister.
Thousands have been displaced so far due to the conflict. According to Cambodian Information Minister Neth Phektra, 37,635 people from the border provinces have been displaced by Saturday. Similarly, Thai authorities said that more than 131,000 people have moved from the border villages.
