Thailand Accused of Using Cluster Bombs in Cambodia Border Conflict, Affecting 4,000 Sq Km

Cambodia has strongly condemned the alleged use of cluster bombs by Thai military forces across nearly 4,000 square kilometers during last year's border conflict. Ly Thuch, first vice president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, stated on Monday that this use has created a new humanitarian burden, significantly increasing the need for resources and effort to ensure the safety of affected citizens and communities. Of the 4,000 square kilometers of newly affected areas, approximately 3,000 square kilometers were specifically impacted by cluster bombs. Thuch added that this new threat has severely impacted local people, especially farmers, leading to casualties and leaving more than 20,000 displaced individuals unable to return home. Thailand, which is not a signatory to the U.N. convention banning cluster munitions, has confirmed using them during the conflict. However, Thailand has also accused Cambodia of "laying fresh landmines" that maimed Thai soldiers last year, an allegation Cambodia has denied. Since the five-day July clashes, renewed fighting in December spread well beyond earlier flashpoints, with over a dozen fronts active along the 817 km (508 miles) shared border. More than 100 people on both sides of the border were killed in the December attack, with nearly one million displaced at its peak, according to previous tallies from Thai and Cambodian officials. Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri did not respond immediately to questions. However, Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, echoed similar allegations of Thailand’s use of cluster munitions, calling it a serious violation of international humanitarian law. He said it demonstrated Thailand’s disregard of international conventions, noting that Cambodia has widely disseminated the issue to the world. “The use of cluster bombs against Cambodia and civilians is a serious issue. This violation of our territory is evidence which is being documented by Cambodia,” he said. Information Source: CamboJA News