Defence official warns Thais not to blame Cambodia for mine incidents; should demine own territory
Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree has commented on a landmine explosion which took place on occupied Cambodian territory. Khaosod English
A Ministry of National Defence official has reiterated that Thai demining operations should only be conducted on their own territory, not on Cambodian soil, or in areas that have not yet been measured and demarcated.
The official, who asked to remain anonymous, also insisted that incidents involving landmines must not be linked to Cambodia or its modern forces.
Earlier today, Thai media outlets reported that a Thai soldier stepped on a landmine near the An Ses border pass on August 17.
“The Thai side must not attempt to link incidents where Thai soldiers step on landmines during their operations to Cambodia. The Thai side’s demining operations must be carried out only within Thai territory, not on Cambodian territory or in areas that have not yet been measured and demarcated, or in Cambodian territory that Thai forces are illegally occupying,” said the unnamed official.
“Demining cannot be used as a pretext to expand military presence, create new facts on the ground, or legitimise illegal occupation. Demining does not create sovereignty,” they added.
Thai newspapers reported that a Thai soldier suffered leg injuries from a landmine explosion while clearing an occupied site near the An Ses pass.
Thai Army Spokesperson Winthai Suvaree announced that they had cleared a Cambodian military base nearby after they pushed Cambodian soldiers out of the area and began demining.
-Phnom Penh Post-
