Thailand Launches Airstrikes Along Cambodia Border Amid Renewed Clashes
BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand launched airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia late Monday, escalating a long-standing territorial conflict that has flared despite a ceasefire brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year. The renewed violence has cast doubt on the fragile truce and raised concerns about further instability in the region.
According to Thai military officials, Cambodian forces fired first in multiple areas along the border, killing one Thai soldier and injuring others. In response, Thailand deployed aircraft to strike Cambodian military positions in an effort to suppress continued attacks. Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree told The Associated Press that the airstrikes targeted “military targets in several areas to suppress Cambodian supporting fire attacks.” The Thai army also ordered evacuations of civilians in nearby communities as clashes intensified.
However, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry disputed Thailand’s account. Spokesperson Maly Socheata asserted that Thai forces initiated the hostilities and that Cambodia did not return fire during the initial confrontation. Cambodia urged Thailand to cease its military actions immediately. Footage shared by Cambodia’s Education Ministry showed students leaving schools near the border while families hurried to retrieve their children, underscoring the human impact of the conflict.
The escalation follows a smaller exchange of fire on Sunday, when Thailand reported that Cambodian forces wounded two Thai soldiers before Thai troops responded with a 20-minute counterattack. Cambodia maintained that Thailand started that encounter and did not return fire. These incidents have undermined the ceasefire agreement negotiated in October by President Trump, which ended five days of fighting in July that resulted in dozens of casualties.
Despite the ceasefire, tensions have remained high. Last month, several Thai soldiers were injured by land mines in contested areas, prompting Thailand to suspend parts of the agreement. Both countries have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, which included provisions for cooperation on mine removal and border stabilization.
The territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia dates back centuries to rival kingdoms vying for regional dominance. In the modern era, conflicts have centered around areas such as the Preah Vihear province, where sovereignty remains contested. The U.S. Department of State has repeatedly called for peaceful dialogue and restraint between the two nations to prevent further escalation.
Regional security experts warn that the recent airstrikes could destabilize Southeast Asia’s fragile peace and complicate diplomatic efforts. The U.S. Department of Defense continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of upholding ceasefire agreements and promoting cooperation.
As the conflict unfolds, international observers urge both Thailand and Cambodia to return to negotiations and seek a lasting resolution to the border dispute, which has periodically erupted into violence despite numerous attempts at peace. The latest clashes serve as a stark reminder of the challenges in resolving territorial conflicts that have deep historical roots and significant geopolitical implications.
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