Bangkok, July 24 (AP) — A significant clash erupted between Thai and Cambodian soldiers along their border on Thursday, leading to the escalation of a longstanding conflict that resulted in at least 11 casualties, predominantly civilians. The exchanges included small arms, artillery, and rocket fire, with Thailand also launching airstrikes.
Video footage depicted Thai villagers fleeing their homes for shelter as fighting commenced in the morning. The conflict has spread across at least six areas of the border, according to Surasant Kongsiri, the spokesperson for the Thai Defense Ministry.
The clashes were triggered by a mine explosion on Wednesday that injured five Thai soldiers. In response, Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and expelled Cambodia's ambassador. Additionally, Thailand closed all land border crossings and advised its citizens to leave Cambodia.
The two Southeast Asian neighbors have a history of border disputes along their 800-kilometer (500-mile) frontier, which occasionally result in brief and sometimes violent confrontations. However, tensions have increased significantly since a May confrontation that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, with Thursday's incidents being notably more intense and widespread.
Both nations have accused each other of initiating the clashes. The first confrontation on Thursday morning occurred near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple, situated between Thailand's Surin province and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province. Footage from the Thai side showed people seeking refuge in a concrete bunker during the explosions.
The Thai military claimed that its forces spotted a drone and six armed Cambodian soldiers advancing toward their positions at the border. Efforts to communicate and de-escalate were allegedly ignored, with Cambodian troops reportedly opening fire first.
Conversely, Cambodia's Defense Ministry contended that Thailand deployed a drone and commenced the attack, forcing Cambodia to act in self-defense against what they described as an unjustified Thai troop incursion. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has sought an urgent U.N. Security Council meeting to address what he calls Thai aggression.
The Thai military asserted that subsequent airstrikes targeted military objectives within Cambodia, while Cambodia claimed that Thai jets bombed a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, a frequent flashpoint for conflict between the two nations.
Thailand's Foreign Ministry accused Cambodia of attacking both military and civilian sites in Thailand, including a hospital. Nikorndej Balankura, the Ministry’s spokesperson, stated, "The Royal Thai Government is prepared to intensify our self-defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attacks and violations of Thailand's sovereignty, in accordance with international law and principles."
According to Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, 11 individuals have died, comprising ten civilians and one soldier, while 28 people have sustained injuries, including four soldiers and the rest civilians. Cambodia has not released any information about casualties on its side.
On Wednesday, Thailand withdrew its ambassador and expelled the Cambodian ambassador over the mine explosion near the border, accusing Cambodia of laying Russian-made mines. Cambodia rejected these claims as baseless, arguing that leftover ordnance from historical conflicts is still scattered throughout the area.
Cambodia has also downgraded diplomatic ties, recalling all its embassy staff from Bangkok. The border incident in May that led to a Cambodian soldier's death ignited political consequences in Thailand, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra facing accusations of being too conciliatory in her approach to the crisis, resulting in her being suspended pending an investigation into possible ethical violations. (AP) RD RD
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