Thailand has launched airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, the Thai military announced on Monday (8), after the two countries accused each other of violating a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump.
At least one Thai soldier died and four were injured in these new clashes which broke out in two areas of the province of Ubon Ratchathani, in the far east of the country. According to the military, the fighting began after Thai troops were targeted by fire from the Cambodian side.
“The Thai side has now started using aircraft to attack military targets in various areas,” the statement said.
Cambodia’s Defense Ministry also said in a statement that Thai armed forces launched dawn attacks against its troops at two border points, following days of provocative actions. He further added that Cambodian troops did not retaliate.
Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has called on the country’s forces to show restraint in the face of what he called Thai military aggression, which he said seeks to provoke a retaliatory response.
“The red line for response has already been set. I urge commanders at all levels to instruct all officers and soldiers according to these guidelines,” Hun Sen, former leader and father of current Prime Minister Hun Manet, wrote in a Facebook post.
The border conflict had already escalated into a five-day war in July, before the implementation of a ceasefire brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Trump, who also witnessed the signing of an expanded peace agreement between the two countries in Kuala Lumpur in October.
At least 48 people died and around 300,000 were temporarily displaced during July’s fighting, when neighboring countries exchanged rockets and heavy artillery fire.
However, following a landmine explosion last month that injured a Thai soldier, the Bangkok government announced the suspension of implementation of the ceasefire agreement with Cambodia.
In Thailand, more than 385,000 civilians are being evacuated in four border districts and more than 35,000 are already in temporary shelters, the military said.
Thailand and Cambodia have disputed for more than a century over undemarcated sections of their 817 km land border, first drawn in 1907 by France, then the colonial power in Cambodia.
Simmering tensions between the countries sometimes result in clashes, such as a week-long artillery exchange in 2011, despite diplomatic efforts to resolve overlapping claims.
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