In a significant escalation of hostilities, Thailand has launched air strikes targeting military positions in Cambodia, according to statements from the Thai army. The violence follows an early morning incident in Ubon Ratchathani province, where Cambodian troops reportedly opened fire on Thai forces, resulting in the death of a Thai soldier and injuries to four others.
Thai army spokesman Winthai Suvaree confirmed the attack and stated that in response, the military initiated air strikes on various military targets within Cambodia to deter further aggression. This military action marks a serious development in the ongoing tensions between the two countries, fueled by disputes over their shared border.
In contrast, Cambodia’s defense ministry spokesperson, Maly Socheata, accused Thailand of initiating hostilities by launching an attack on Cambodian troops. She claimed that multiple artillery rounds were fired at the Tamone Thom temple and surrounding locations near the ancient Preah Vihear temple. Socheata asserted that Cambodia had refrained from retaliating against the attacks.
Reports from the Oddar Meanchey provincial administration indicate that gunfire was also heard near the historic Tamone Thom and Ta Krabei temples. The local population is responding to the increased violence, with many villagers seeking refuge away from border areas due to safety concerns.
Thailand’s Second Army Region reported that approximately 35,000 individuals have been evacuated from border regions in the wake of renewed fighting. This surge in military activity is alarming, especially considering that both sides had experienced a brief skirmish just the day before, which resulted in injuries to two soldiers.
This latest outbreak of violence is reminiscent of a series of clashes earlier this summer, which lasted for five days, claiming 43 lives and displacing around 300,000 people before a tenuous truce was established. The recent developments have raised concerns of a further escalation of conflict in the region, as both nations engage in a war of words and military actions in the disputed border areas.
