Thailand yesterday launched airstrikes along the disputed border with Cambodia, as both sides accused the other of breaking a ceasefire that halted fighting earlier this year.
Longstanding border disputes erupted into five days of combat in July that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians. US President Donald Trump pushed the Southeast Asian neighbors to sign a truce agreement in October, but tensions have continued to simmer.
The Thai army said that more than 50,000 people have left areas near the border for shelters, while Cambodian Minister for Information Neth Pheaktra said tens of thousands of residents had been displaced from several villages near the border.
Photo: Agence Kampuchea Presse, AFP
The latest round of clashes has killed at least one Thai soldier and four Cambodian civilians, officials said.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said military operations would be carried out as necessary to defend the country and protect public safety.
“Thailand has never wished for violence. I’d like to reiterate that Thailand has never initiated a fight or an invasion, but will never tolerate a violation of its sovereignty,” he said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Facebook wrote that his government’s immediate tasks were to protect the people and the country’s sovereignty.
“I ask all ministries, institutions, authorities at all levels, all types of armed forces and all Cambodian citizens to unite for the cause of the nation and the homeland during this difficult period,” he wrote.
The ceasefire was strained early last month after Thai troops were injured by land mines, leading Thailand to announce that it would indefinitely suspend implementation of the agreement.
Both sides continue to trade accusations over responsibility, even as they are supposed to be cooperating in getting rid of the mines.
Another brief episode of fighting on Sunday took place along the border, after which both sides said the other fired first.
The Thai army said Cambodian fire injured two Thai soldiers and Thai troops retaliated, resulting in an exchange of fire that lasted about 20 minutes.
Cambodia said that the Thai side fired first and that its own troops did not retaliate.
Thai army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvaree yesterday said the Cambodian troops fired first into Thai territory in multiple areas, adding that at least one Thai soldier was killed and about eight other soldiers were wounded.
Thailand then used aircraft “to strike military targets in several areas to suppress Cambodian supporting fire attacks,” he said.
The Thai army said artillery rounds landed near residential areas on the Thai side, but reported no civilian casualties so far.
Cambodian Ministry of Defense spokeswoman Maly Socheata said the Thai military attacked the Cambodian troops first, and that Cambodia did not retaliate.
“Cambodia urges that Thailand immediately stop all hostile activities that threaten peace and stability in the region,” she said.
Pheaktra said fire from Thai forces killed four Cambodian civilians and injured about nine others.
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