Cambodia-Thailand: Renewed Tensions and Airstrikes at the Border
Cambodia and Thailand have accused each other of resuming clashes along their border, with Bangkok reporting airstrikes and the death of a soldier, less than two months after a ceasefire agreement brokered by Donald Trump.
The American president had described the signing of an "historic" agreement on October 26 between the two neighboring Southeast Asian countries, which have long been at odds over a border dispute.
The ceasefire, which had halted five days of ground and air fighting in July that resulted in at least 43 deaths and forced around 300,000 people to evacuate, was supposed to mark a new chapter.
However, hostilities resumed on the night of Sunday to Monday, with both sides blaming each other for the renewed violence.
The Thai military claims it was attacked by Cambodia in Ubon Ratchathani province, resulting in one soldier's death and four others injured.
Conversely, Cambodia's Defense Ministry stated that Thai forces launched an early morning attack in the border provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey, without their troops retaliating.
"I urge all forces on the front to exercise patience," said Cambodian Senate President and former Prime Minister Hun Sen. "The red line for retaliation has been set," he added.
Thailand is using fighter jets to "target military objectives" and "end Cambodian supporting fire," according to the Thai military.
"The airstrikes are highly precise and only aim at military targets along the front line, with no impact on civilians," clarified its spokesperson, Winthai Suvaree.
A Cambodian soldier, speaking anonymously to AFP, reported that the Thai bombings were ongoing by late Monday morning in Preah Vihear.
According to the Thai military, approximately 35,000 people were evacuated from border areas overnight.
"The village chief asked us to leave, and after what happened in July, I immediately complied," recounted 59-year-old Thai evacuee Pannarat Woratham.
"I learned my lesson from the last time and was prepared to leave quickly," she added. "Many of us thought the conflict was finally over. It shouldn't have restarted like this."
Villagers were also fleeing "to seek shelter" on the other side of the border, according to authorities in a Cambodian province.
The ceasefire agreement had been signed in October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, under Donald Trump's auspices, who subsequently announced new trade agreements with both countries.
It was suspended in November by Thailand after a landmine explosion injured four of its soldiers.
Bangkok frequently accuses its neighbor of laying new mines along the border. However, Cambodia expressed its "regret" at the time, asserting that these were remnants from past conflicts.
Phnom Penh reiterated its commitment to the agreement. Both parties had pledged to withdraw heavy weapons, clear minefields along the border, and continue dialogue, but nothing substantial had been resolved.
Thailand and Cambodia have a long-standing dispute over the demarcation of certain parts of their 800-kilometer border established during the French colonial era. The disputed areas host several temples, including the Temple of Preah Vihear. The International Court of Justice granted sovereignty over it to Phnom Penh, but Bangkok refuses to recognize the tribunal's authority on territorial matters.
AFP
