PHNOM PENH, Cambodia. Cambodia on Friday welcomed the return of two wounded soldiers captured by Thai forces despite a ceasefire agreement, while demanding the immediate repatriation of 18 other soldiers still in Thai custody.
The two soldiers were among a 20-member Cambodian unit detained Tuesday in a disputed border area. The incident followed five days of armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand over long-standing territorial claims.
Cambodia’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata confirmed that the two injured soldiers were handed over at a checkpoint between Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province. She urged Thailand to release the remaining troops in line with “international humanitarian law.”
Thailand said it is holding the 18 soldiers while investigating the circumstances of their presence in what it considers Thai territory. The Thai military said the two released soldiers had sworn not to take part in further hostilities and identified them as a sergeant with a broken arm and a hip wound, and a second lieutenant suffering from battle fatigue.
Cambodian officials claimed the captured soldiers approached Thai forces to offer a post-conflict greeting, but Thai authorities said they perceived a threat and acted accordingly. Neutral third parties have not been allowed access to the detained soldiers.
Cambodia’s Human Rights Committee alleged that the two repatriated soldiers were tortured and denied medical care, though it provided no evidence. The committee appealed to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights to initiate an independent investigation.
Both sides organized tours of former combat zones for foreign diplomats and observers on Friday, each blaming the other for destruction and violations of international law. Over 36 people, including civilians and soldiers, were killed in the clashes, which involved infantry combat, artillery shelling, Cambodian truck-mounted rocket launches, and Thai airstrikes. The fighting displaced more than 260,000 people.
While a ceasefire is in place, military officials from both countries are expected to meet next week to prevent further clashes. The territorial dispute at the center of the conflict will not be part of the discussions.
Meanwhile, nationalistic rhetoric continues online. Thailand has accused Cambodia of launching cyberattacks, and media associations from both countries have accused each other of spreading disinformation and propaganda.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
