BURSTCambodia landmine authority alleges Thailand has used cluster bombs as fighting along contested border has moved into second day
Thailand’s acting prime minister warned that cross-border clashes with Cambodia “could develop into war” amid the second day of trading strikes.
Phumtham Wechayachai, cited by AFP, told reporters in Bangkok:
If the situation escalates it could develop into war, though for now it remains limited to clashes.
The UN security council will hold an emergency meeting on Friday over the Cambodia-Thailand border clashes, diplomatic sources told AFP. The meeting, requested by Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet, would be held behind closed doors at 3pm (1900 GMT), the sources said.
Britain’s foreign ministry advised against all but essential travel to parts of Cambodia and Thailand, both popular destinations for foreign tourists, after the fighting.
Fighting was focused on six locations, the Thai army said on Thursday. Six Thai air force jets were deployed, hitting two “Cambodian military targets on the ground”, according to Thai military deputy spokesperson Ritcha Suksuwanon.
Cambodia has not yet commented on casualties on its side. Defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata refused to answer when asked about the issue at a news conference.
Both sides blame the other for starting the fighting. On Wednesday, Thailand had expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine.
Cambodia downgraded ties to “the lowest level” on Thursday, pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh.
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