Thailand carried out airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia on Monday, with both countries blaming each other for initiating the attacks.
The two Southeast Asian neighbors have experienced rising tensions since signing a U.S.-brokered truce in October, following a five-day conflict in July that left dozens of soldiers and civilians dead.
Thai army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said Cambodian forces fired first across multiple border points, resulting in one Thai soldier killed and four others injured. Civilians in the affected areas are being evacuated. Thai aircraft were used to target Cambodian military positions in response, he added.
Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata, however, claimed that Thai forces struck first and that Cambodia did not retaliate during the initial attacks. “Cambodia urges Thailand to immediately halt all hostile actions that threaten regional peace and stability,” she said.
Thailand halts ceasefire, demands Cambodia apology after border mine injures soldiers
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire from October has been under strain, particularly after Thai troops were injured by land mines last month, with both sides continuing to dispute responsibility even as they are meant to cooperate in clearing the explosives.
U.S. President Donald Trump said in mid-November that his mediation had prevented further escalation between the two nations.
Source: AP