Thailand and Cambodia traded accusations of targeting civilians with artillery and rocket attacks, while US President Donald Trump said he would try to intervene to stop the fighting and salvage a ceasefire he brokered earlier this year.
Clashes raged at more than a dozen locations along the 817 km border in some of the most intense fighting since a five-day battle in July, which Trump halted amid calls for both leaders to halt their worst conflict in recent history.
The Southeast Asian neighbors have blamed each other for the clashes that began on Monday.
Trump said at a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this week that he would try to end renewed hostilities. He told reporters on Wednesday that he expected to speak with the countries’ leaders on Thursday.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for additional information about the calls.
“I think I can make them stop fighting,” Trump said.
“I think I’ll talk to them tomorrow.”
The Thai military has made clear it wants to cripple Cambodia’s military capabilities, and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said operations will not stop.
He declined to comment on the military’s endgame. Asked about Trump’s comments, he said the conflict was between the two countries involved.
“Other national leaders may have good intentions in pursuing peace,” Anutin told reporters.
“It can’t be as simple as picking up the phone and calling. There has to be good agreements and agreed talking points. We still have time to prepare for these issues if such discussions happen.”
Cambodian government spokesman Pen Bona said Cambodia’s position was that it only wanted peace and had acted in self-defense. A top adviser to Cambodia’s prime minister has indicated the country is willing to negotiate.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who helped Trump broker the ceasefire, said he spoke with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia on Tuesday and that while no final solution was reached, he “appreciated the openness and willingness of both leaders to continue negotiations to reduce tensions.”
The three days of clashes have taken a heavy toll on civilians. According to the government, nine people have been killed in Cambodia, including a baby, and 46 people have been injured.
According to the Thai military, five Thai soldiers were killed and 68 people were injured in the fighting.
On Wednesday, Cambodia withdrew its athletes from the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, citing security reasons and the concerns of their families.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from border areas, although some people have chosen not to leave.
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