Fighting resumes hours before regional foreign ministers meet in Malaysia to discuss steps to de-escalate hostilities.New fighting has broken out along the Thailand-Cambodia border as foreign ministers from Southeast Asian nations met in Malaysia to find a resolution to the deadly conflict between the two neighbours.The clashes early on Monday threatened to undermine diplomatic efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to revive a ceasefire deal that was first brokered in July by Malaysia and United States President Donald Trump.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listThe conflict, since it resumed on December 8, has killed at least 40 people and displaced nearly one million people on both sides of the border.The Cambodian Ministry of National Defence on Monday accused Thailand of deploying F-16 fighter jets that dropped four bombs in the Banteay Meanchay province and of firing “toxic gas” in the area of the Prey Chan village, according to the Agence Kampuchea Press state news agency.“The Ministry emphasised that Cambodian forces are monitoring the situation closely. They remain brave and steadfast in their defence against the aggressors, remaining vigilant in their duty to protect Cambodia’s territorial integrity,” the report said.Video footage posted online showed civilians, including young children, sheltering from the bombardment. Some of the children could be heard wailing as the residents crowded together.Citing the Cambodian army, the Cambodianess news outlet also reported artillery shelling in several areas of Battambang Province that resulted in at least one civilian being wounded.Thailand’s Morning News TV 3 reported an “exchange of fire” in the Sa Kaeo Province early on Monday morning, with Cambodian forces firing “heavy weapons”, igniting fires and damaging homes in the Khok Sung dist …
