Kuala Lumpur : Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met in Malaysia on Monday to urgently seek a way to end the escalating border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia as fresh clashes were reported even while diplomatic talks were under way.
The special meeting of Asean foreign ministers was convened in Kuala Lumpur under the chairmanship of Malaysia after weeks of violence along disputed border areas strained relations between the two neighbouring countries and raised regional security concerns.
According to officials and regional sources more than sixty people have been killed in the recent fighting and hundreds of thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes on both sides of the border. Villages near the frontier have seen heavy shelling and exchanges of fire prompting emergency relief efforts and temporary shelters for displaced families.
Despite earlier ceasefire agreements brokered with Asean support the situation deteriorated again in early December. Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other of violating the truce with claims involving artillery fire drones and the placement of landmines. Both governments deny wrongdoing and insist they are acting in self defence.
As the meeting began reports emerged of new fighting in some border districts highlighting the fragile nature of the peace efforts. Diplomats said this development underlined the urgency of restoring calm and preventing further civilian suffering.
Malaysia as the current Asean chair urged both sides to show restraint and return to dialogue. Officials said the discussions focused on re establishing a ceasefire improving communication between military commanders and exploring the possibility of stronger monitoring mechanisms along the border.
Thailand’s representatives said their country would not accept solutions that put it at a disadvantage but expressed readiness to engage in talks if Cambodia demonstrated a genuine commitment to peace. Cambodian officials in turn reiterated calls for respect for sovereignty and accused Thai forces of crossing into disputed areas.
Asean leaders acknowledged that the conflict poses a serious test for the regional bloc which is built on dialogue cooperation and non interference. Several member states stressed that sustained fighting between two Asean members undermines regional stability and public confidence in peaceful conflict resolution.
International partners including the United States and China have also held quiet diplomatic contacts with both sides but have so far been unable to halt the violence. Some foreign governments have issued travel warnings advising their citizens to avoid border regions due to the unpredictable security situation.
At the end of the meeting Asean officials said further consultations would continue in the coming days with the aim of easing tensions on the ground and creating conditions for longer term negotiations.
For families caught in the conflict the hope remains that diplomacy will succeed where weapons have failed and that calm will soon return to the border communities that have borne the brunt of the fighting.