Phnom penh: Cambodia has called on the United Nations to deploy an independent fact-finding mission to investigate the current conflict with Thailand. This request was made through a letter sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as stated by Cambodia's Foreign Ministry on Thursday.
According to Anadolu Agency, Cambodia urged Guterres to condemn what it described as Thailand's "unprovoked armed aggression" and demanded an immediate halt to all attacks initiated by Thailand. The letter emphasized the need for the Thai Armed Forces to cease their alleged illegal military actions against Cambodia, halt encroachments on Cambodian territory, and respect internationally recognized borders.
Ambassador Keo Chhea reiterated Cambodia's commitment to peaceful dialogue and adherence to international law, aiming to implement the Ceasefire Agreement and the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord fully.
The letter coincides with escalating border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, now in their fourth day. These clashes have resulted in at least 22 deaths, including nine Thai soldiers, three civilians, and nine Cambodian civilians, along with one Cambodian soldier. Thai media outlet The Nation and Cambodia's the Khmer Times reported that approximately 120 Thai soldiers and 60 Cambodian civilians have been injured. The conflict has also displaced over half a million people.
In response, Thailand's Permanent Representative to the UN, Cherdchai Chaivaivid, submitted letters to the UN secretary-general and the Security Council, accusing Cambodia of "grave and unprovoked military attacks" on Thai territory. The letters denied Thailand initiated the conflict, labeling such claims as "deliberately disseminated false narratives."
Thailand urged the international community to press Cambodia to cease hostilities, which they say destabilize border security and violate Thailand's sovereignty. In a related move, Cambodia withdrew its delegation from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, citing safety concerns. Cambodian authorities are reportedly gathering evidence for a potential case at the International Criminal Court in The Hague against Thailand.
Both nations accuse each other of initiating the clashes, which breach a peace deal signed in October in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The longstanding border dispute has led to repeated clashes, including a deadly incident in July, and the continued detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers in Thailand.
Since July, the land border between the two countries has been closed, disrupting cross-border movement and trade.