AMN / NEWS DESK
The civilian death toll in Cambodia has climbed to 21 as the border standoff with Thailand entered its 17th day. Cambodian defence spokesperson Lt General Maly Socheata said Thai forces are continuing to shell Cambodian positions, using artillery and tank-mounted machine guns to strike multiple targets inside Cambodian territory.
The Cambodia–Thailand border tensions have flared up again since December 7, with both sides accusing each other of triggering the latest round of fighting. Figures released by Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior indicate that the conflict has so far displaced around 5,45,000 people, who have been forced to flee their homes and seek shelter in safer areas.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN member states, who met in a special session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday to review the situation, called on both Cambodia and Thailand to show restraint and take immediate steps to halt all hostilities.
The meeting reiterated ASEAN’s commitment to unity and solidarity, and underscored the importance of ASEAN centrality in maintaining regional peace, security, stability and prosperity, in line with the principles of the ASEAN Charter.