PHNOM PENH, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- Cambodian provincial and military officials said they are recruiting militias along the border with Thailand, to protect frontier villages if hostilities erupt again amid a territory dispute between the two countries, national media reported Thursday.
Some 2,400 Cambodians have already volunteered to serve in the paramilitary units in Oddar Meanchey province alone, China's XINHUA news agency quoted Deputy Governor Loun An as saying in the Phnom Penh Post.
"We are in the process of recruiting people for militias to protect homes and ensure security for people if there is a war with Thai soldiers," Loun An said.
"Militia members receive no salary and do not register with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), although they will get some sponsorship money," he added.
The Cambodian government has called for calm following last week's border clash that has resulted in the deaths of three Cambodian soldiers and a Thai trooper.
The violence has only encouraged more Cambodians to come to their nation's defense, Chuong Praseuth of the Banteay Meanchey provincial administration told the Post.
In July, tensions ran high after the ancient Preah Vihear Temple was awarded world heritage status by UNESCO, angering nationalists in Thailand who still claim ownership of the site.
The tension later turned into a military stalemate, in which up to 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops faced off for six weeks.
In early October, at least one Cambodian soldier and two Thai troops were wounded during sporadic exchange of gunfire and two other Thai soldiers were seriously injured after stepping on a landmine at the border area, the report said.
Some 2,400 Cambodians have already volunteered to serve in the paramilitary units in Oddar Meanchey province alone, China's XINHUA news agency quoted Deputy Governor Loun An as saying in the Phnom Penh Post.
"We are in the process of recruiting people for militias to protect homes and ensure security for people if there is a war with Thai soldiers," Loun An said.
"Militia members receive no salary and do not register with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), although they will get some sponsorship money," he added.
The Cambodian government has called for calm following last week's border clash that has resulted in the deaths of three Cambodian soldiers and a Thai trooper.
The violence has only encouraged more Cambodians to come to their nation's defense, Chuong Praseuth of the Banteay Meanchey provincial administration told the Post.
In July, tensions ran high after the ancient Preah Vihear Temple was awarded world heritage status by UNESCO, angering nationalists in Thailand who still claim ownership of the site.
The tension later turned into a military stalemate, in which up to 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops faced off for six weeks.
In early October, at least one Cambodian soldier and two Thai troops were wounded during sporadic exchange of gunfire and two other Thai soldiers were seriously injured after stepping on a landmine at the border area, the report said.
5 comments:
កូនខ្មែរមានការឈឺចាប់ចំពោះការឈ្លានពានរបស់សៀម
ខ្ញុំសូមគោរពភាពភក្តីភាពរបស់លោក
ែតសូមេដឹកនាំគោរពឆន្ទះកូនខ្មែរផង
េយីងចង់រស់ក្នុងផ្ទះដែលគ្មានការឈ្លានពាន
Going to military service is the obligation of young people in many countries in the world. So this recruitment is just a normal thing especial in this situation that need soldiers. But before putting in fighting zone, they have to be well train first. Another thing, the government has to be careful, do not turn this movement to mimic the history. No one forget about the young cambodians who were attracted to guerrilla fighting against US in the past.
3:22 PM
From militas myself, this is the perfect way to fight against modernize weapon and surprise attack. Militas can cause a lot of damage to battalion when they can fight seperately in small group. The enemy does not know where and when.
will you guy accept Khmer a broad?
I want to joint in too...
I feel sorry for those young men for being fool by hun sen erratic behavior.
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