(Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 21st) Cambodia’s Ministry of the Interior stated on the 21st that the deadly border conflict between Cambodia and neighboring Thailand, which has lasted for two weeks, has resulted in more than 500,000 people being displaced.
The Bangkok side reported that due to the renewed outbreak of border conflict, about 400,000 people have been displaced within Thailand.
The Cambodian Ministry of the Interior’s statement said: “Currently, more than 500,000 Cambodian citizens, including women and children, are enduring severe hardship after being forced to leave their homes and schools to escape the shelling, rocket attacks, and aerial bombing from Thai F-16 fighter jets.”
The statement noted that the total number of evacuees stands at 518,611.
In addition, Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasak said at a press conference on the 20th that the Thai side has initially taken control of Hill 350 in the Thai-Cambodian border area that day, and said that security in the region would continue to be strengthened.
According to Thai media, Hill 350 is near the Ta Kwai Temple ruins. The border demarcation between Thailand and Cambodia in this area has long been disputed. Hill 350 provides a commanding height that effectively controls the area around Ta Kwai Temple.
For the past ten days, Hill 350 has been one of the most fiercely contested areas in the Thai-Cambodian border conflict. Earlier, Thai Prime Minister Anutin stated in an interview that Thailand must control Hill 350.