Thai-Cambodian Border Conflict Escalates Despite Trump’s Claims
Meanwhile, the Thai-Cambodian border conflict continues to escalate despite claims by US President Donald Trump that the two countries have agreed to a ceasefire.
Trump announced the agreement on social media, stating that Thai and Cambodian leaders had agreed to renew a truce after days of deadly clashes.
However, Thai officials disputed Trump’s assertion, saying that clashes were still ongoing and that Thailand continued to carry out strikes against Cambodian forces.
Thai Prime Minister Disagrees with Trump
Consequently, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul disagreed with Trump’s characterization of the situation, saying that Thailand would continue to perform military actions until it felt no more harm and threats to its land and people.
Moreover, Anutin refuted Trump’s claim that a roadside bomb that killed and wounded Thai soldiers was an accident, saying that it was a deliberate attack.
In addition, Thailand has deployed jet fighters to carry out airstrikes on what it says are military targets, while Cambodia has deployed BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of 30-40 kilometers.
History of Conflict
Furthermore, the roots of the Thai-Cambodian border conflict lie in a history of enmity over competing territorial claims, dating back to a 1907 map created while Cambodia was under French colonial rule.
Therefore, tensions were exacerbated by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded sovereignty to Cambodia, which still riles many Thais.
Additionally, Thailand has accused Cambodia of deploying rocket launchers and other military equipment near the border, which Cambodia denies.
International Community Concerned
Meanwhile, the international community is concerned about the situation, with the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes expressing “profound concern” over the situation in Congo’s South Kivu region, where new deadly violence has exploded in recent days.
Moreover, Trump’s internationally endorsed plan to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is still not finalized and in limbo, with sporadic fighting continuing while a critical second phase remains a work in progress.
Therefore, the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border remains volatile, with both sides continuing to exchange fire and accusations.
And, in the midst of this chaos, Trump continues to claim credit for helping to solve the conflict, despite the lack of progress on the ground.
However, it remains to be seen whether Trump’s claims will be proven true or false in the end.
Meanwhile, the international community waits with bated breath to see how the situation will unfold.
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