NewKerala.com

Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Using Cluster Bombs in Border Conflict

Cambodia has accused Thailand of using fighter jets to drop cluster bombs in civilian areas, leading to civilian deaths and injuries. Thailand denies targeting civilians, stating the munitions were aimed at military objectives and noting neither country is bound by the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The conflict has forced hundreds of thousands of Cambodians to flee their homes for safety. Both sides blame each other for initiating attacks, reigniting long-standing border tensions.

Key Points: Cambodia-Thailand Border Conflict: Cluster Bomb Allegations

  • Civilian casualties reported
  • Cluster munitions alleged
  • Border conflict reignited
  • Mass displacement of Cambodians
2 min read

Cambodia accuses Thailand of dropping cluster bombs

Cambodia accuses Thailand of dropping cluster bombs in civilian areas, causing casualties and mass displacement amid renewed border tensions.

"The Thai military had attacked locations where Cambodian civilians resided, resulting in 21 civilian deaths, including one infant. – Lt. General Maly Socheata"

Phnom Penh/Bangkok, Dec 24 Cambodia said on Wednesday that the Thai military used fighter jets to drop cluster bombs in Banteay Meanchey province. The Thai army responded that the cluster bombs deployed exclusively targetted military objectives.

The Thai military also used fighter jets to drop four bombs into civilian areas in Battambang province, the Cambodian Ministry of Defence said in a press release, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority on Tuesday expressed its grave concern regarding reports of Thailand's use of cluster munitions and toxic gas in or near civilian areas.

Winthai Suvaree, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, said on Wednesday that what Cambodia claimed to be cluster bombs were used against military targets, and these shells are not weapons designed to harm civilians.

Winthai emphasized that the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits parties from using, producing, or stockpiling such weapons, is not binding because neither Thailand nor Cambodia is a party to the convention.

On Tuesday, a Cambodian defence spokesperson said that Thai military forces continued to use artillery and tank-mounted machine guns to fire at multiple targets in Cambodian territory.

"The Thai military had attacked locations where Cambodian civilians resided, resulting in 21 civilian deaths, including one infant, and injuries to 83 others as of 6 pm on December 22," Defence Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. General Maly Socheata said at a press briefing.

The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since December 7, and both sides have accused the other of initiating the attack.

According to the latest figures released by the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, the conflict has so far forced about 545,000 Cambodians to flee their homes for safe shelters.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The Thai spokesperson's logic is chilling. "Not a party to the convention, so it's not binding." That's a technicality, not a moral defense. Cluster bombs are banned globally for a reason—they keep killing civilians long after a conflict ends. Shameful.
P
Priya S
Half a million people displaced! 😔 This is a humanitarian crisis unfolding right next door. Reminds us how precious peace is. Hope our MEA is monitoring this closely and ready to offer any assistance for refugee relief.
V
Vikram M
While the loss of civilian life is tragic, we must be cautious. We're only getting one side of the story from Cambodian sources. Border disputes are complex. Thailand claims they hit military targets. The truth often lies somewhere in the middle.
R
Rohit P
Toxic gas too? This is escalating dangerously. ASEAN's principle of non-interference is being tested. Sometimes, for the sake of regional stability, neighbors *have* to intervene. India, with its good relations in Southeast Asia, could play a quiet diplomatic role.
M
Meera T
The real victims are always ordinary people. Farmers, shopkeepers, families forced to leave everything behind. My thoughts are with them. Hope aid agencies can reach the displaced quickly. No one should have to spend the holidays in a shelter.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50