'Terrorist' attacks spark Cambodian security alert

November 24, 2000
Web posted at: 3:19 PM HKT (0719 GMT)

By Phelim Kyne
Special to CNN.com

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (CNN) -- Military and police units in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, have been placed on high alert following a spate of coordinated attacks on government and military installations early Friday that left at least eight people dead and seven injured.

Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told CNN.com that the attacks - which began at approximately 0115 local time - were focused on the Ministry of Defense, an army barracks 15 kilometers west of the capital and a government television station near the central train station.

He said the attacks were the work of “terrorists”.

In scenes reminiscent of the 1997 street fighting between forces loyal to Prime Minister Hun Sen and those of his former co-premier, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, running gun battles across Phnom Penh kept frightened residents in their homes until dawn.

Security remained tight around the capital on Friday, with heavily armed military police and Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) personnel surrounding key government and military installations

“This was not a coup attempt, those gunmen were terrorists” Kanharith said, referring to rumors that the attackers were taking advantage of the absence of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The prime minister left Cambodia early Thursday to attend the summit of leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Singapore.

Kanharith refused to comment on earlier reports that identified the gunmen as either members of a shadowy anti-government rebel group known as the Khmer Serei (Free Khmer) or the anti-communist Free Vietnam movement.

“We are assuming nothing,” Kanharith said. “We have taken 20 prisoners and are currently interrogating them. But about their identities and motives we are assuming nothing.”

Kanharith told CNN.com that seven of the gunmen had been killed in the fighting while seven police and military police had been wounded.

Reports say RCAF personnel have confiscated 31 AK-47 rifles, one rocket launcher, more than 30 rockets and nine hand grenades.

Civilian casualties are unknown, although CNN.com was present at the funeral of 30-year old Men Sambor, a teacher whose home next to the Ministry of Defense lay in the was caught in the crossfire.

Phnom Penh Municipal Governor, Chea Sophara, who himself came under fire near the city’s train station, issued a statement early Friday afternoon calling on residents to remain calm and vigilant while the security forces hunt for an unknown number of gunmen thought to remain at large.

Friday’s fighting comes as Cambodia enjoys its longest period of peace and stability in 30 years following the defection of the final remnants of the rebel Khmer Rouge in late 1998.

Cambodia is still recovering from the damage done to the country by the Khmer Rouge regime which is accused of being responsible for the deaths of up to 1.7 million Cambodians during its rule in the 1970s.

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