Thailand’s military has accused Cambodia of breaching a recent ceasefire agreement, which was established following weeks of intense border clashes that resulted in significant casualties and displacement. The accusation centers around the alleged unauthorized flight of more than 250 drones from Cambodian territory into Thailand.
The ceasefire was agreed upon on Saturday during negotiations attended by both nations’ officials, with commitments made to halt hostilities and to cooperate on various issues, including demining and cybercrime. The agreement also included provisions for returning civilians to their homes and the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers held by Thailand if the ceasefire proved effective.
However, tensions reignited with the Thai army’s claims on Monday, asserting that the drone activity constituted a “provocation” that undermined the newly forged agreement. They warned that such actions, which they described as inconsistent with the joint statement made during a recent bilateral meeting, jeopardized the truce.
In a response, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn downplayed the drone incident, characterizing it as a minor issue to be addressed by both nations. He indicated that discussions were underway to investigate the situation thoroughly and resolve it swiftly.
Conversely, a spokesman for the Thai army expressed that the drone incursions reflected a hostile stance from Cambodia, raising concerns about the safety of military and civilian personnel in border areas. The Thai army hinted that the decision regarding the release of the detained Cambodian soldiers could be contingent upon subsequent behaviors observed in the wake of these recent developments.
This latest spike in violence followed a series of clashes earlier in the month that had already claimed numerous lives and displaced over a million people across various border provinces. The conflict is rooted in a longstanding territorial dispute over the delineation of the borderline, which has been a contentious issue between the two countries since colonial times.
Both nations had initially struck a truce in July, which was mediated by global powers including the United States and China, but that agreement unraveled quickly with ongoing accusations from both sides regarding provocations leading to further violence.
While the recent talks held in China’s Yunnan province aimed at cultivating diplomatic relations and restoring stability between Thailand and Cambodia, the effectiveness of these discussions in light of the drone allegations remains to be seen. Both countries are expected to meet again in January to continue their discussions on border surveys and demarcation.
