(Adnkronos) – Over 500,000 people have been displaced in Thailand and Cambodia due to what appears to be a new escalation on the border between the two countries, who were protagonists of a truce agreement signed in October. According to the Cambodian Ministry of Defense, “20,105 families, or 101,229 people” have fled from five provinces (Pursat, Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap) targeted by reported attacks by Thai forces.
Bangkok authorities, however, accuse Cambodia of forcing approximately 400,000 people living in border areas to flee. “Civilians were forced to flee en masse due to what we assessed as an imminent threat to their safety,” said Thai Defense Ministry spokesman Surasant Kongsiri.
Due to the latest escalation – for which a new exchange of accusations between Thailand and Cambodia is underway – a total of at least 12 deaths have been reported, seven Cambodian civilians and five Thai soldiers, and dozens injured.
