via CAAI
2011-02-11
On Thursday, Cambodian officials brought rice and instant noodles to the camps set up along the border with Thailand. Four days of clashes raged between soldiers from both sides around a disputed temple.
Cambodia's prime minister says the clashes constitute an act of war.
Cambodia and Thailand say they are not increasing their military forces on the border and say they’re acting with as much restraint as possible.
But witnesses on the Thai side saw tanks, armored vehicles and fighter jets on the move.
Thailand and Cambodia blame each other for the clashes. The clashes have killed at least three Thais and eight Cambodians. At least 34 Thais and 55 Cambodians were wounded.
Two TV stations have collected donations for the soldiers and refugees at the Cambodian border camp. They set up a foundation on Saturday to help people on the frontline.
More than a thousand refugees fled their homes and stayed at the camp about 20 miles from Preah Vihear temple since the fighting started.
[Mam Seila, Refugee]:
“My children and I went to hide on higher ground. Then I saw about 80 to 90 shrapnel pieces that landed on my house. So, God blessed me and my kids to survive.”
Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen appealed to all local authorities to take care of the refugees and soldiers who were wounded from the fighting.
In Cambodia's northern frontier areas, schools and temples have been turned into shelters for several thousand displaced people.
The reason for the clashes still remains unknown.
The two countries are in dispute over the land surrounding the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.
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