More than half a million people in Cambodia have been displaced by two weeks of deadly border clashes with Thailand, Phnom Penh said on Sunday, ahead of regional talks aimed at easing tensions.
The renewed fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours this month, including with tanks, drones and artillery, has killed at least 22 people in Thailand and 19 in Cambodia, officials said.
The conflict stems from a territorial dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800 kilometre (500 mile) border and a smattering of ancient temple ruins situated on the frontier.
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Cambodia and Thailand both said on Sunday that a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers hosted by Malaysia on Monday was expected to de-escalate tensions, with Bangkok calling it “an important opportunity for both sides.”
Thai foreign ministry spokeswoman Maratee Nalita Andamo reiterated earlier conditions for negotiations, including Bangkok’s demand that Phnom Penh be first to announce a truce and cooperate in de-mining efforts at the border.
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Those conditions, Maratee told reporters, “will guide our interaction in the discussions tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur”.