The border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia entered their fourth day on Thursday as both sides continued to wait for US President Donald Trump’s call. Trump said on Wednesday that he could end the ongoing conflict between the two Southeast Asian countries.
The clashes on Wednesday intensified and spread to more than a dozen locations along the 817-km (508-mile) disputed Thai-Cambodian border.
Back in July, both nations stopped fighting after President Trump called on both leaders and threatened them with punitive tariffs unless they ceased fighting.
Trump is likely to speak with the leaders of the two countries later today. "I think I can get them to stop fighting," Trump told reporters on Wednesday. "I think I'm scheduled to speak to them tomorrow."
Meanwhile, Thailand on Thursday reacted with a little more hostile tone despite a call from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who helped broker the July deal. Thai authorities on Thursday confirmed that the matter is for the two countries to resolve.
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Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday he would "explain and clarify" the situation if Trump called. "He will need to hear the details directly from me if he contacts me,” he said, adding, “I believe the foreign minister will already be providing information at the diplomatic level."
Both sides have accused each other of violating the peace agreement signed by the leaders of both countries in the presence of Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Cambodian authorities responded by accusing Thailand of committing "brutal acts of aggression" against civilian targets, including schools and temples.
The latest clashes have already killed 10 people in Cambodia and wounded 60 others. Meanwhile, Thai authorities have confirmed the killing of nine soldiers with 120 others injured. The ongoing hostilities, according to the official stats, have displaced over half a million residents living in proximity to the Thai-Cambodia border.
Also Read: Armed clashes erupt between Thai and Cambodian forces
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