UPDATE 2 - Calm returns to Thai-Cambodia border after 11 days of clashes: Report

​​​​​​​ADDS CLASHES CALMING REPORT, CHANGES HEAD, LEDE

By Berk Kutay Gokmen and Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Calm has returned to the Thailand and Cambodia border on Wednesday after a conflict spanning 11 days, according to a report from Cambodia media.

Border provinces saw calm after 10 pm (1500GMT), Fresh News. b.

Cambodian forces remain at the highest level of alert and are "fully prepared to respond to any artillery attacks or attempted incursions into Cambodian territory, should the situation escalate," it said.

There was no confirmation from Thailand about calm at the border.

Renewed border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia killed at least 52 people on both sides since the conflict reignited Dec. 7.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said a special envoy for Asian Affairs will engage in "a shuttle-diplomacy trip to Cambodia and Thailand in an effort to bridge the two sides to rebuild peace at an early date," on Thursday.

"As a close neighbor and friend of Cambodia and Thailand, China closely follows the ongoing border conflict between the two countries and has shuttled between the two sides to promote peace. Through its own way, China has been working actively for de-escalation," he said.

Cambodia’s Defense Ministry said the Thai army carried out artillery attacks and drone strikes in the border region, according to the Khmer Times newspaper.

The ministry added that Cambodian forces responded by firing BM-21 rockets at Thai positions.

The Thai army, however, said intermittent clashes continued across border areas, with fighting involving mortars, tanks and bomb-dropping drones, according to the Thai Enquirer.

Amid reports that Thai forces captured Chinese-made anti-tank missiles from Cambodian positions, Guo said Beijing has no involvement in the conflict.

“Let me stress that China has conducted normal defense cooperation with both Thailand and Cambodia, which does not target any third party and has nothing to do with the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict,” he said at a news conference in Beijing.

The developments came after Thai soldiers captured the Chong Anh Ma area following heavy fighting, according to public broadcaster Thai PBS.

Thailand said Tuesday that Cambodia must be the first to announce a ceasefire to halt the deadly clashes, which have displaced more than 700,000 on both sides of the border.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maratee Nalita Andamo said any ceasefire must meet specific conditions and be credible, urging Cambodia to “sincerely cooperate in demining efforts along the border” to end the conflict.

According to Thai authorities, 19 Thai soldiers and 16 Thai civilians have been killed. Cambodia’s Interior Ministry said 17 Cambodian civilians were killed and 77 injured.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed hope Wednesday that the situation would end quickly and result in the best possible outcome, according to The Nation newspaper.

Anutin said Thailand “must” take control of Hill 350 near Prasat Ta Kwai in Surin province.

“If Cambodia uses reason, it should (negotiate)” now, he said.

The clashes have continued despite US President Donald Trump saying on Friday that the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to halt the renewed fighting.

The two countries signed a peace agreement in October in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, but that was later suspended after Thai soldiers were seriously injured in a landmine explosion in a border province.

Thai authorities also said around 18 Cambodian soldiers remain in Thai custody following incidents in the past five months.

Thailand and Cambodia have a long-running border dispute that has repeatedly erupted into violence, including clashes in July in which at least 48 people were killed.