KHMER REPUBLIC: GOVERNMENT TROOPS LAUNCH COUNTER-ATTACK AGAINST INSURGENT FORCES THREATENING PHNOM PENH.

Record ID: 1065798

  • Title: KHMER REPUBLIC: GOVERNMENT TROOPS LAUNCH COUNTER-ATTACK AGAINST INSURGENT FORCES THREATENING PHNOM PENH.
  • Date: 23rd August 1974
  • Summary: 1. SV Soldiers firing mortars (2 shots) 0.18 2. GV Bombs exploding 0.27 3. SV Soldiers gathered (2 shots) 0.42 4. GV Soldiers runnign across open ground (3 shots) 1.01 5. GV Bombs exploding 1.12 6. SV and GV Wounded soldiers on stretcher being carried away (2 shots) 1.25 Initials ET/2054 ET/2117 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 6th September 1974 13:00
  • Keywords:
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  • Location: NEAR PHNOM PENH, KHMER REPUBLIC
  • Country: Cambodia
  • Reuters ID: LVA7476NKGO8PZ3VCB082JSQ9GU2
  • Story Text:Government troops in the Khmer Republic have launched a series of counter-attacks against an estimated 30,000 - strong insurgent force threatening the capital, Phnom Penh.

    In the past two weeks the insurgents are reported to have concentrated their forces to the north-west and south of Phnom Penh.

    Full details of the counter offensive have not ben released, but artillery fire has been heard all around the capital and there was heavy fighting at Muk Kampul, on Highway Seven about 10 miles (116 kilometres) north of the city.

    Observers said insurgents, backed by heavy guns, were expected to launch major attacks on the city in the near future, to coincide with the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly session, where the question of the Khmer Republic's representation is due to be raised.

    Government forces involved in the counter-attacks are believed to number 20,000. Troops and armoured cars have been fanning out along the east and west banks of the Tonle Bassac River, which flows into the Mekong, south of Phnom Penh.

    The Khmer Government has urged friendly countries to help it retain its seat at the United Nations which is fiercely challenged by the Government claimed by Prince Norodom Sihanouk.

    SYNOPSIS: There has been heavy fighting around Phnom Penh, capital of the Khmer Republic in recent days as Government forces launch counter-attacks against insurgent forces. The increased fighting is believed to be building up to a major offensive to coincide with the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly session where the question of the Khmer Republic's representation will be raised. Insurgent forces are said to total thirty thousand.

    Full details of the Government's counter-offensive have not been released, but at least twenty thousand troops are believed to be involved. There was heavy fighting here at Mak Kampul, on Highway Seven about ten miles north of the capital.

    But, artillery fire has been heard all around the city over the past week. The insurgents, backed by heavy guns, are said to be concentrating their forces to the north-west and sough of Phnom Penh. Government troops and armoured cars have been fanning out along the east and west banks of the Tonle Bassac river which flows into the Mekong south of the city. They've met stiff fighting from the insurgent forces.

    The latest struggle on the battlefield precedes a U.N. vote. The Khmer Republic has orged friendly countries to help it retain its U.N. seat, being challenged by Prince Norodom Sihanouk.
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