Trump: Despite demands for a ceasefire, Thailand continues its attacks on Cambodia
Trump: Despite US President Donald Trump’s claims that the nations had decided to cease hostilities after speaking with him, Thailand announced on Saturday that it was still carrying out military operations against Cambodia.
Around half a million people have been displaced on both sides of the ongoing conflict between the neighbors of Southeast Asia, which began this month and is rooted in a long-standing disagreement over the delineation of their 800-kilometer (500-mile) boundary during the colonial period.
At least 20 people have been murdered in the fighting this week, and both sides accused the other for starting it again. However, when Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached, there were indications that temperatures could be lowering.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the prime minister of Thailand, said on Saturday that the nation will “continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people.”
Thai soldiers “retaliated” on military targets in Cambodia around 5:50 am (2250 Friday GMT), according to Bangkok’s joint news center.
As Cambodia claimed Thai fighter planes had dropped many bombs on its territory, the comments were made.
The air force “successfully destroyed” two Cambodian bridges that were used to deliver weapons to the battle area, according to a Thai naval spokesperson.
On Friday, Trump praised his “very good conversation” with Anutin and Hun Manet, the prime minister of Cambodia.
Trump said on his Truth Social platform that “they have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord” that was reached in July.
Following the conversation with Trump, Anutin of Thailand said that Cambodia “is going to comply with the ceasefire” and that “the one who violated the agreement needs to fix (the situation).”
Hun Manet, the leader of Cambodia, said that his nation “has always been adhering to peaceful means for dispute resolutions”.
According to Neth Pheaktra, the minister of communication for Cambodia, Thai soldiers “expanded their attacks to include civilian infrastructure and Cambodian civilians” on Saturday.
In order to avoid harm to innocent bystanders, the army was “using high-precision weapons,” according to Royal Thai Air Force spokesperson Chakkrit Thammavichai.
Tensions for months
Following a five-day period of violence, the United States, China, and Malaysia, as chair of the regional group ASEAN, mediated a truce in July.
After Thailand and Cambodia decided to extend their truce, Trump supported a follow-on joint proclamation in October that touted new economic agreements.
However, when Thai troops were injured by landmines along the border, Thailand terminated the deal the next month.
Hun Manet went on to say that on December 7, he had recommended that Malaysia and the United States employ their information-gathering capabilities “to verify which side opened fire first”.
“The last attempt at peace was unsuccessful… Kanyapat Saopria, 39, a Thai border evacuee, said, “I don’t know if this one will either.” “I just don’t trust Cambodia anymore.”