Cambodia Urges Thailand To Stop Attacks, Pull Troops

JAKARTA - The Cambodian government urged Thailand to immediately stop fighting on the border, withdraw troops, and refrain from actions that could worsen the situation.

The statement was made by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs amid the heated conflict between the two countries.

"Kamboja calls on Thailand to immediately stop all acts of hostility, withdraw its troops to its own side of the border, and not take further provocative actions that could worsen the situation," the statement said.

The Cambodian government has also strongly criticized what it calls an "host and hostile" act from Thailand.

"Camboja ... will take all necessary steps to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its people," the statement said.

The Thai military on Thursday launched airstrikes against Cambodian troop positions in response to the attack on the BM-21 Grad rocket launcher system in recent clashes on the border.

This was revealed by the 2nd Military Regional Command of the Royal Thai Army which covers the border area with Cambodia.

Thai and Cambodian forces clashed in the early hours of Thursday in a disputed area. Initially, there was a shootout between ground forces, which then increased in intensity.