Cambodia, Hun Sen: “We forced to respond to Thai attacks”

Surin (Thailand), Dec. 9 (LaPresse) – Cambodian President Hun Sen has vowed an all-out fight against Thailand, as clashes between the two countries continue. On Tuesday, Hun Sen stated that initially Cambodia had refrained from returning fire, but had started firing during the night. Thailand reported that Cambodian artillery hit a village in Sa Kaeo province, causing no casualties. Clashes resumed despite the July ceasefire, which had ended five days of violent fighting over territorial claims. Cambodia reports that seven civilians were killed and twenty injured, while Thailand confirmed the death of one soldier. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that military operations will continue to defend the country. The UN has urged both sides to renew their commitment to the ceasefire. In a statement posted on Facebook and Telegram, Hun Sen said that his country had refrained from returning fire on Monday, but began responding to Thai forces during the night. He wrote that a strategy focused on points where Thailand was advancing would allow Cambodia to “weaken and destroy enemy forces through counterattacks.” The Thai army stated that Cambodian forces fired artillery at a village in Sa Kaeo province early Tuesday morning, although the attack caused no casualties. Thailand claims that Cambodian forces also fired on its troops on Sunday and Monday, while each side accuses the other of firing first. “Cambodia wants peace, but is forced to respond to defend its territory,” said Hun Sen. Hun Sen was Prime Minister of Cambodia until 2023, when he was replaced by his son Hun Manet, but he is still widely considered the country’s de facto leader. The Cambodian army announced that the new fighting caused the death of seven civilians and the wounding of another 20. A spokesperson for the Thai army announced that one soldier was killed and 29 others were injured in the new clashes.