Thai-Cambodian border fighting leaves 10 dead in two days
Sunday, 24 April 2011
SAMRONG, Apr 23 (AFP): Heavy fighting erupted again Saturday on the Thai-Cambodia border, leaving 10 soldiers dead in two days-the worst bloodshed since a UN appeal in February for a permanent ceasefire.
The two neighbours have fought a series of deadly gunbattles in recent years in disputed jungle near ancient temples along the frontier, which has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines.
Three Cambodian troops and one Thai soldier were killed on Saturday, according to officials in the two countries, a day after three died on each side.
The Cambodian defence ministry accused Thailand of using 75mm and 105mm "heavy guns loaded with poisonous gas", but gave no further details and the claim could not be independently verified. The Thai army denied the allegation.
Thailand recently admitted using controversial Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions during the February fighting but insisted it did not classify them as cluster munitions.
In its statement, the Cambodian defence ministry said Thailand was invading its territory "using ground troops and many types of artillery" and said its civilians were in danger.
Thousands of villagers have evacuated from nearby areas on both sides following the latest flare-up of violence.
"Most of the people in my village have fled their homes because many Thai artillery shells landed nearby," 29-year-old farmer Has Pov told AFP at a pagoda complex where he took refugee with his wife and two children in the Cambodian town of Samrong about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the fighting.
"I'm really scared by the shelling," he added.
Villages close to the Cambodian side of the border were emptied as people fled with their belongings.
An AFP photographer saw a house apparently damaged by shelling in a village more than 10 kilometres from the area where the main fighting occurred.
As usual, the two countries accused each other of starting the latest clash, which appeared to have abated after several hours Saturday.