Cambodia and Thailand forces fought each other for the third day over contested territory as the death toll rose to at least 32 as both sought a cease-fire.
July 26 Cambodia and Thailand military forces on Saturday fought each other for the third day over contested border territory as the death toll rose to at least 32.
The dead were 19 in Thailand, including 13 civilians, and 13 in Cambodia, with eight civilians, in the bloodiest fighting in more than a decade, The Guardian reported.
Acting Thai Prime Minister warned the situation « could develop into war. »
« For now, it remains limited to clashes », he told reporters in Bangkok, and his nation was acting to « protect our land and the sovereignty of our nation. »
Fighting involving tanks began Thursday near Prasat Ta Muen Thom, an ancient temple claimed by both nations. Thailand also used F-16 jets.
Weapons included cluster munitions, which are internationally prohibited though both nations haven’t agreed to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
« Neither Thailand nor Cambodia appears to be paying attention to international humanitarian law at great expense to civilians », John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, said in a news release Friday. « Diplomatic efforts underway need to prioritize protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. »
On Friday, United Nations diplomats from both countries sought a cease-fire during an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council in New York.
Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand’s envoy to the U.
