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Gunfight on Thai-Cambodia border | |
(29 minutes later) | |
Thai and Cambodian soldiers have exchanged gunfire along a disputed section of their border, leaving several from both sides wounded. | |
The clash, near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, prompted Thailand to urge its nationals to leave Cambodia. | |
Tensions have been high since July, when hundreds of soldiers on both sides faced off metres apart. | Tensions have been high since July, when hundreds of soldiers on both sides faced off metres apart. |
Both countries claim they own the area around the temple, which recently became a Unesco World Heritage site. | Both countries claim they own the area around the temple, which recently became a Unesco World Heritage site. |
Officials from both countries have said the other side fired first. | Officials from both countries have said the other side fired first. |
'Death zone' | |
There were reported to be exchanges of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. | There were reported to be exchanges of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. |
A Cambodian defence ministry official said at least 10 Thai soldiers had been captured. | A Cambodian defence ministry official said at least 10 Thai soldiers had been captured. |
A Thai army spokesman said one Cambodian soldier was killed and four Thais wounded. | A Thai army spokesman said one Cambodian soldier was killed and four Thais wounded. |
A Cambodian army official told the Associated Press news agency that the fighting had now stopped and commanders from both sides were trying to negotiate a ceasefire. | A Cambodian army official told the Associated Press news agency that the fighting had now stopped and commanders from both sides were trying to negotiate a ceasefire. |
Political tensions driving temple rowIn pictures: Preah Vihear | |
After the fighting broke out, Thailand alerted air force jets and readied transport planes to evacuate Thai nationals from Cambodia. | After the fighting broke out, Thailand alerted air force jets and readied transport planes to evacuate Thai nationals from Cambodia. |
The military stand-off began in July when Cambodian troops detained three Thai protesters who had entered the site illegally. | The military stand-off began in July when Cambodian troops detained three Thai protesters who had entered the site illegally. |
Around 2,000 soldiers from both countries moved into the area, digging trenches into the rough terrain around the temple. | Around 2,000 soldiers from both countries moved into the area, digging trenches into the rough terrain around the temple. |
The tension turned violent in October when one Cambodian and two Thai soldiers were wounded in an exchange of gunfire. | The tension turned violent in October when one Cambodian and two Thai soldiers were wounded in an exchange of gunfire. |
The two sides have already held several rounds of talks on the issue, but have failed to reach a settlement. | The two sides have already held several rounds of talks on the issue, but have failed to reach a settlement. |
They agreed in August to reduce troop numbers, but last week Cambodia said that 500 Thai troops had massed in the area. | They agreed in August to reduce troop numbers, but last week Cambodia said that 500 Thai troops had massed in the area. |
On Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened to turn the area into a "death zone" if the Thai troops did not withdraw. | On Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened to turn the area into a "death zone" if the Thai troops did not withdraw. |
Thailand denied that its troops had entered Cambodian territory. | Thailand denied that its troops had entered Cambodian territory. |
Temple tensions | Temple tensions |
The stand-off between the two countries centres on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment dividing the countries. | The stand-off between the two countries centres on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment dividing the countries. |
TEMPLE DISPUTE TIMELINE 1962: International court awards temple to Cambodia, but surrounding land remains undesignated1970s-1990s: Khmer Rouge guerrillas occupy site2001-2002: Thai troops block access over water rowJuly 2008: Unesco lists temple as a World Heritage SiteJuly 2008: Thai FM quits after court rules he violated constitution for backing Cambodia's Unesco bidJuly 2008: Both sides move troops to temple area | |
The temple is only accessible from Thailand and the area around it is heavily mined - a legacy of Cambodia's long war against the Khmer Rouge guerrillas. | The temple is only accessible from Thailand and the area around it is heavily mined - a legacy of Cambodia's long war against the Khmer Rouge guerrillas. |
An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims. | An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims. |
The decision by the UN in June to list Preah Vihear as a Unesco World Heritage Site reignited lingering nationalist tensions over the issue. | The decision by the UN in June to list Preah Vihear as a Unesco World Heritage Site reignited lingering nationalist tensions over the issue. |
Disputes between the two countries date back centuries when the Thai and Khmer monarchs fought each other for territory and power. | Disputes between the two countries date back centuries when the Thai and Khmer monarchs fought each other for territory and power. |
In 2003, the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh was torched by rioters angry over the alleged comments of a Thai actress who said that the Angkor Wat temple complex should be returned to Thailand. | In 2003, the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh was torched by rioters angry over the alleged comments of a Thai actress who said that the Angkor Wat temple complex should be returned to Thailand. |
Are you in the vicinity of the Thai-Cambodian border? Have you heard or witnessed hostilities between troops? Send us your comments and experiences. | Are you in the vicinity of the Thai-Cambodian border? Have you heard or witnessed hostilities between troops? Send us your comments and experiences. |