Mortars, shots heard at border as Cambodia, Thailand trade accusations

Phnom Penh/Bangkok, Sep 27: Cambodia said on Saturday that the Thai armed forces have fired mortars at a Cambodian military base in Preah Vihear province. On the same day, Thailand’s army said its troops responded under strict protocols after Cambodian forces fired small arms and grenade launchers towards Thai positions.

Cambodian Defence Ministry’s Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Maly Socheata said in a press release that at approximately 11:52 am, Thai military forces “initiated an attack on Cambodian military positions by firing many shots of mortar and small arms at the Cambodian base in the An Seh area.”

“As of now, the Cambodian armed forces continue to monitor this development with the utmost caution and attention, and are fully prepared to defend territorial integrity,”