Cambodia says Thailand bombed casino hub on border, with no truce in sight

Despite Trump assertion of ceasefire, nary extremity connected skyline to latest circular of struggle precocious reignited by borderline skirmish.

Cambodia’s defence ministry has accused Thailand’s subject of bombing the casino hub of Poipet, a large onshore crossing betwixt the 2 nations, which are engaged successful renewed clashes on their border.

The ministry said successful a connection connected Thursday that Thai forces had “dropped 2 bombs” successful the municipality of Poipet, located successful the northwestern state of Banteay Meanchey, astatine astir 11am (04:00 GMT) that morning.

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At the clip of reporting, Thailand had not yet confirmed the onslaught connected the bustling casino hub, which is fashionable with Thai gamblers.

The interior ministry said this week that astatine slightest 4 casinos successful Cambodia person been damaged by Thai strikes.

Renewed warring betwixt the Southeast Asian neighbours this period has killed astatine slightest 21 radical successful Thailand and 17 successful Cambodia, portion displacing astir 800,000, officials said.

Thailand said connected Tuesday that betwixt 5,000 and 6,000 Thai nationals remained stranded successful Poipet aft Cambodia closed its onshore borderline crossings with its neighbour.

Cambodia’s interior ministry said the borderline closures were a “necessary measure” to trim risks to civilians amid the ongoing combat, adding that aerial question remained an enactment for those seeking to leave.

Truce denial

Five days of warring betwixt Cambodia and Thailand successful July killed dozens of radical earlier a truce was brokered by the United States, China and Malaysia, and past breached wrong months.

United States President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly intervened successful the longstanding struggle this year, claimed past week that the 2 countries had agreed to a caller ceasefire.

But Bangkok denied immoderate truce had been agreed upon, and warring with artillery, tanks, drones and jets has continued regular since a borderline skirmish earlier this period caused the latest circular of conflict.

The struggle stems from a territorial quality implicit the colonial-era demarcation of their 800km (500-mile) borderline and a smattering of past temple ruins situated connected the frontier.

Each broadside has blamed the different for instigating the renewed fighting, claiming self-defence, portion trading accusations of attacks connected civilians.

China said it was sending its peculiar envoy for Asian affairs to Cambodia and Thailand connected Thursday for a “shuttle-diplomacy trip” to assistance span the gaps and “rebuild peace”.