Cambodian, Thai troops break truce

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Cambodian, Thai troops break truce

English.news.cn 2011-04-30 08:37:29

PHNOM PENH, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Exchange of gunfire between Cambodian and Thai

troops broke out again early Saturday in the disputed border area near the 13th

century Ta Krabei temple in Oddar Meanchey province, marking the ninth straight

day of border clash, said a field military commander.

" The fighting started again this morning at around 4:00 a.m. at Ta Krabei

temple, Thai soldiers launched the attack first, " Suos Sothea, deputy commander

of the artillery unit, told Xinhua by telephone from the battle field.

" Thai troops have fired small arms, rockets and artillery at our troops. We have

also opened fire to defend our territory, but we have not used heavy weapons to

fight back yet. "

It's too early to report casualties, he said.

The fighting erupted again despite both sides reached ceasefire agreement after

the conflict left eight Cambodian and seven Thai soldiers and one Thai civilian

dead in the last eight days.

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated.

Cambodian Ministry of Defense said that Thai troops wanted to capture Ta Krabei

temple and Ta Mon temple, 150 kilometers west of Preah Vihear temple which has

been a flash point of border conflict between the two neighboring countries

since it was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008.

Editor: Xiong Tong