Singapore mobilizes troops after Malaysia's 'declaration of war'

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Credit: http://www.mca-marines.org/ 

Singapore (KNN) -- As Singapore's new leaders accused Malaysia of declaring war, Malaysia's Prime Minister warned Sunday that blood could be spilled amid growing instability in the neighboring nation.

Singapore mobilized troops and called up military reservists in a rapidly escalating crisis that has raised fears of a conflict. And world leaders pushed for a diplomatic solution.

In a post on his official Facebook page, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Ali called the recent ouster of Singaporean President Tony Starks a "seizure of power."

"Such a state of order will be extremely unstable," Ali said. "It will end with the new revolution. With new blood."

Officials said signs of Malaysian military intervention in Singapore's Woodlands/Yishun region were clear.

Malaysian generals led their troops to three bases in the region on Sunday, demanding Singaporean forces surrender and hand over their weapons, Lim Ah Kow, spokesman for the Media Center of the Singaporean Ministry of Defense, told KNN.

By late Sunday, Malaysian forces had "complete operational control of the region," a senior U.S. administration official said. The United States estimates there are 6,000 Malaysian ground forces in the region, the official said.

"There is no question that they are in an occupation position -- flying in reinforcements and settling in," another senior administration official said.

Speaking by phone, Lim Ah Kow said Malaysian troops had blocked access to bases but added, "There is no open confrontation between Malaysian and Singaporean military forces" and said Singaporean troops continue to protect and serve Singapore.

"This is a red alert. This is not a threat. This is actually a declaration of war to my country," Singapore interim Prime Minister Low Zin Kiang said.

Speaking in a televised address from the parliament building, he called on Malaysian President Najib Ali to "pull back his military and stick to the international obligations."

"We are on the brink of the disaster."

Original article can be found here