Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Battambang (Agenzia Fides) – “We have woken up to the nightmare of a war. Military clashes have broken out again on the border between Cambodia and Thailand, and the situation is very tense and worrying, with the use of powerful military vehicles and fighter jets,” Jesuit Father Enrique Figaredo, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, a Cambodian province bordering Thailand, told Fides.Clashes between the armed forces of both countries began in the early hours of July 24 along the disputed border. According to the Thai armed forces, Cambodian troops opened fire near the Ta Moan Thom temple, while the Cambodian Ministry of Defense, however stated that they acted in self-defense following an incursion by the Thai army. The Thai military has launched airstrikes against targets in Cambodia. In recent days, Bangkok recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and announced the expulsion incident of the Cambodian ambassador following a new accident involving landmines along the border that injured a Thai soldier.The borders between the two countries are now completely closed.“Our parish of St. Francis of Assisi is located less than 100 kilometers from the front lines. The parish priest and the twelve Catholic families in that community clearly hear gunshots and explosions. There is great fear of a war that seems truly senseless,” says Fr. Figaredo. “Just think that people on both sides of the border speak the same language and that, due to the permeability of the border, many families are related. The population doesn’t understand the reason for this escalation, which I believe is mainly due to reasons of nationalism and imperialism,” he emphasizes.Meanwhile, a Caritas Cambodia delegation has traveled to the affected area to assist displaced families forced to leave their villages near the front lines.The apostolic prefect recalls that the border dispute dates back to the time when colonial powers drew the borders in Southeast Asia after the war. “The border established by France when it left the area was followed and marked, but Thailand follows another map, the American one, and claims several areas, some of great historical, cultural, and religious value for their Buddhist temples,” explains Fr. Figaredo.”I believe this resumption of hostilities is also due to an internal political game in Thailand, where strong nationalist impulses are perceived. Thailand is raising its voice because it has a clearly superior military potential to that of Cambodia, which has appealed to the United Nations and requested the intervention of the Security Council. I think that UN mediation is today the only way to de-escalate the tensions,” concludes the Jesuit. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 24/7/2025)
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