Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes: Indian Embassy Issues Travel Advisory For Citizens Amid Rising
Phnom Penh: In the wake of violent clashes along the Thailand-Cambodia border, the Indian Embassy in Cambodia issued an advisory for Indian nationals. The Embassy also issued an emergency number for the Indian nationals staying in Cambodia.
"In view of the ongoing clashes at the Cambodia-Thailand border, Indian nationals are advised to avoid travelling to the border areas," the Embassy said in a statement.
"In case of emergency, Indian nationals may approach the Embassy of India, Phnom Penh at +855 92881676 or email cons. phnompenh@mea.gov.in," the statement added.
Earlier in the day, Cambodian officials reported 12 new deaths in its ongoing conflict with Thailand, increasing the death toll to 32, reported The Associated Press.
General Maly Socheata, the spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, told reporters that seven more civilians and five soldiers died from two days of fighting. It was earlier reported that one fatality - a man who was killed when the pagoda he was hiding in got hit by Thai rockets.
Meanwhile, thousands of people sought refuge as border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia entered its third day on Saturday.
UNSC Meeting ON Thailand-Cambodia Clashes:
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in Friday held an emergency meeting behind closed doors in New York. However, no official statement has been released yet. A council diplomat said all 15 members called on the parties to deescalate, show restraint and resolve the dispute peacefully, reported the global news agency.
The council also urged the regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to help resolve the border fighting, the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private.
Malaysia, which chairs the 10-nation regional bloc that includes both countries, also called for an end to hostilities and offered to mediate.
How The Dispute Started?
The 800-kilometer (500-mile) frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades. However, past confrontations have been limited. The last major conflict erupted in 2011, leaving 20 dead.
The current tensions broke out in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics. The matter escalated when a land mine wounded five Thai soldiers on Wednesday. After the development, Bangkok closed the border and expelled the Cambodian ambassador. The next day, clashes broke out along the border.
news