The number of civilians killed in Cambodia has risen to 21 as the border
conflict with Thailand has continued for 17 days. A Cambodian defence spokesperson,
Lt. General Maly Socheata, said Thai military forces are still firing artillery
and tank-mounted machine guns at several places inside Cambodian territory.
The conflict along the Cambodia–Thailand border started again on December 7.
Both countries have accused each other of starting the fighting. According to
the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, the clashes have forced around 5.45 lakh
people in Cambodia to leave their homes and move to safer shelters.
To discuss the situation, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN countries held a special
meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. They urged both Cambodia and Thailand
to show restraint and take immediate steps to stop all fighting.
The ministers also repeated their commitment to ASEAN unity and solidarity, and
to ASEAN’s central role in maintaining peace, security, stability and prosperity
in the region, in line with the ASEAN Charter.