PHNOM PENH, El Sky News – Tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border area have reportedly peaked again with an armed clash incident now confirmed to have claimed the lives of at least six Cambodian civilians.
The Ministry of Defence in Phnom Penh today confirmed the death toll, while condemning the military actions of Thailand, which allegedly targeted Cambodian border territories.
Incident of Gunfire Claims Lives
In a statement released via a Facebook post, the Cambodian Ministry of Defence revealed that the latest attack occurred after midnight in the Banteay Meanchey border province.
“Thai soldiers fired shots towards the Banteay Meanchey border territory, resulting in the deaths of two civilians who were travelling on National Highway 56 due to the gunfire,” the statement said.
The incident serves as evidence of the dangerous situation in the volatile area, even for local residents travelling on public roads.
Missile Attacks Also Reported
Meanwhile, Cambodian Minister of Information, Neth Pheaktra, confirmed to international news agencies that the civilian death toll has reached six.
He stated that at least four more Cambodian civilians were killed in a separate attack yesterday, as a result of what was described as a Thai missile attack.
The attacks occurred in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey Provinces, two other areas that directly border Thailand.
In addition to the fatalities, an estimated 10 other civilians were also reported injured in the series of clashes, adding to the long list of casualties in the protracted border conflict.
Phnom Penh is now demanding international intervention and strongly condemning Thailand’s military actions, which allegedly went beyond military targets and aimed at civilian areas. The situation on the border is now believed to be at the highest alert level.
(Leakim Otid)
