分类： world

Thailand has intensified security measures by imposing a coastal curfew in its southeastern Trat province as border hostilities with Cambodia continue to escalate, despite recent diplomatic interventions. The new restrictions affect five districts adjacent to Cambodia’s Koh Kong province, though popular tourist destinations Koh Chang and Koh Kood remain exempt from the military directive.

This development follows Friday’s announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump claiming both nations had agreed to cease fire after his discussions with Thai caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Premier Hun Manet. However, combat operations persisted throughout the weekend, with Anutin vowing to continue military actions until Thailand perceives no further threats to its territorial integrity.

The conflict has witnessed intensified artillery exchanges across multiple points of the 817-kilometer contested border, representing the most severe clashes since July’s five-day confrontation. Thai military forces reported destroying a strategic bridge used by Cambodia for transporting heavy weaponry, while Cambodian authorities accused Thailand of targeting civilian infrastructure.

Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, Thai Defence Ministry spokesman, stated that despite Cambodia’s expressed openness to ceasefire discussions, continuous hostilities have prevented meaningful dialogue. “Thailand remains receptive to diplomatic solutions, but Cambodia must first cease all hostile actions before negotiations can commence,” he emphasized during a Bangkok press conference.

The current violence marks another chapter in the prolonged border dispute that reignited in May following the death of a Cambodian soldier, subsequently displacing hundreds of thousands of residents from both nations. The White House has subsequently reinforced President Trump’s expectation that all parties honor their ceasefire commitments, warning that accountability measures will be enforced to ensure lasting peace.

In a devastating attack on United Nations peacekeeping operations, a drone assault on the Kadugali Logistics Base in Abyei, Sudan has resulted in the deaths of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and left eight others wounded. The incident occurred between approximately 3:40 PM and 3:50 PM local time on Saturday when separatist armed groups targeted the UN facility.

The Bangladesh Army confirmed the casualties in an official statement, noting that the situation in the region remains highly volatile with ongoing clashes against terrorist elements. Military authorities emphasized that rescue operations and medical treatment for the injured are being prioritized despite the challenging security environment.

Bangladesh maintains its position as one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide, with its forces having been stationed long-term in the contentious Abyei region. This territory represents a persistent flashpoint in the unresolved border disputes between Sudan and South Sudan, frequently experiencing outbreaks of violence despite international peacekeeping presence.

The attack underscores the increasing dangers faced by peacekeeping personnel in conflict zones where non-state armed groups are employing more sophisticated weaponry, including drone technology. The UN mission in Abyei, established to maintain stability in the disputed region, now faces renewed challenges to its operational security and mandate fulfillment.

Tensions flared in the disputed South China Sea waters on Friday as Chinese coast guard vessels employed aggressive tactics against Philippine fishing boats near Sabina Shoal, resulting in injuries to three Filipino fishermen and substantial damage to two vessels. According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), nearly two dozen Filipino fishing boats encountered water cannon attacks and deliberate blocking maneuvers by Chinese maritime authorities.

The confrontation intensified when a smaller Chinese coast guard vessel severed anchor lines of multiple Philippine boats, creating hazardous conditions for the crews. The PCG issued a formal statement condemning the actions, urging China to ‘adhere to internationally recognized standards of conduct that prioritize preservation of life at sea over questionable law enforcement pretensions.’

Despite repeated attempts to provide assistance, Philippine coast guard vessels faced continued obstruction from Chinese ships before finally reaching the injured fishermen on Saturday morning. Medical attention and essential supplies were delivered to those affected by the incident.

The contested Sabina Shoal (known as Xianbin Reef in China and Escoda Shoal in the Philippines) lies within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, approximately 150 kilometers west of Palawan province. This latest incident occurs against the backdrop of China’s expansive claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, despite a 2016 international arbitral ruling that found these claims without legal basis under international law—a decision Beijing continues to reject.

China’s coast guard had previously stated on Friday that it had implemented ‘control measures’ against Philippine vessels, which Manila interprets as an admission of responsibility for the aggressive actions. The Chinese embassy in Manila had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.

Myanmar’s military government has issued an urgent appeal to the international community regarding the repatriation of foreign nationals detained during extensive crackdowns on cyber scam operations in Kayin state. The operations, concentrated near the Thai border town of Myawaddy, have resulted in the detention of thousands from multiple countries.

Authorities revealed that since January, 13,272 foreigners from 47 countries have been apprehended in raids targeting major scam centers including KK Park and Shwe Kokko. While most detainees have been deported, 1,655 individuals remain in custody facing logistical challenges in repatriation.

Colonel Min Thu Kyaw, who led the security operations, emphasized the complexities of managing detainees with diverse nationalities, religions, and cultural backgrounds. “We want the international community to come and call them quickly,” he stated, highlighting the strain on detention facilities.

The majority of remaining detainees are Chinese nationals (over 500), with significant numbers from Indonesia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Kenya, and India. Officials cite particular difficulties in repatriating citizens from African countries without diplomatic representation in Myanmar or Thailand, with some cases requiring up to five months for processing.

Myanmar has gained notoriety for hosting sophisticated cyber scam operations that generate nearly $40 billion annually according to UN estimates. These schemes typically involve romantic ploys to establish trust before funneling victims into fraudulent investment schemes.

The crackdown has involved dramatic demolitions of scam compound buildings using explosives and bulldozers, broadcast on state television. However, critics question the effectiveness of these measures, noting that scam operators continue functioning in other locations under protection from ethnic militias.

The region’s complex security situation involves multiple armed groups including the military-backed Border Guard Force and the resistance-aligned Karen National Union, both denying involvement in scam operations despite government allegations.

Thai military authorities have escalated security measures by implementing overnight curfews in a second eastern province following renewed border hostilities with neighboring Cambodia. The Royal Thai Army issued an official directive on Sunday imposing immediate restrictions across five districts within Trat Province, effective from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM daily.

The affected regions include Khlong Yai, Bo Rai, Laem Ngop, Khao Saming, and Mueang Trat, where residents are now mandated to remain indoors during specified hours. This decisive action comes in response to a security incident occurring Saturday night, during which three M79 grenades targeted the Marine Corps Task Force headquarters in Trat. Preliminary investigations indicate the projectiles were launched from within Thai territory, though they detonated in unpopulated areas without causing casualties.

This development represents the second provincial curfew enactment since the recent escalation of cross-border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Earlier last Wednesday, similar restrictions were imposed across four border districts of Sa Kaeo Province, indicating a pattern of heightened military response to regional instability. The consecutive security measures demonstrate Thailand’s increasingly cautious stance toward border security management amid ongoing diplomatic challenges with Cambodia.

The implementation of curfews in multiple provinces suggests military authorities are preparing for potential prolonged engagement while working to ensure civilian safety in potentially vulnerable border regions. Both nations have experienced periodic border disputes, particularly around contested temple areas, though the current exchange represents a significant escalation in military activity.

A lethal escalation in the longstanding border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has resulted in the first confirmed civilian death from direct combat operations. On Sunday, a rocket attack originating from Cambodian territory struck a residential area in Thailand’s Sisaket province, killing 63-year-old villager Don Patchapan and destroying multiple homes.

The incident occurred in Kantharalak District, where Associated Press journalists witnessed the aftermath including a completely bandaged victim being transported via ambulance and neighboring structures engulfed in flames. Thai military authorities confirmed the rocket landed near a school in a populated zone, prompting government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat to condemn Cambodia for ‘cruel and inhumane’ tactics targeting civilian areas.

This tragedy marks a significant escalation in hostilities that reignited on December 7th after initial skirmishes wounded two Thai soldiers. The core dispute centers on competing territorial claims to border regions containing ancient temple ruins. Both nations have deployed advanced military capabilities, with Cambodia utilizing imprecise BM-21 rocket systems capable of firing 40 rockets simultaneously across 30-40 kilometer ranges, while Thailand has conducted airstrikes using fighter aircraft and surveillance drones.

Official casualty reports indicate at least 16 Thai military fatalities and an estimated 221 Cambodian soldier deaths, though Phnom Penh has dismissed these figures as disinformation while acknowledging 11 civilian casualties. The conflict has displaced approximately 500,000 residents from border communities.

The renewed fighting has effectively nullified a ceasefire agreement previously brokered by the United States in October. Despite former President Donald Trump’s announcement of renewed peace efforts on Friday, both Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian leadership have denied committing to de-escalation. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reinforced his nation’s stance through social media, expressing pride in national resilience against ‘aggression from neighboring countries.’

The conflict has now expanded beyond land borders, with naval engagements reported in the Gulf of Thailand between Thai warships and Cambodian coastal defenses on Saturday, indicating potential for broader regional instability.