Bangkok (Web Desk): Despite a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, tensions have once again escalated, with Thailand launching airstrikes on Cambodian border areas.
The Thai military confirmed that at least one Thai soldier was killed and four others were wounded in fresh clashes in the eastern province of Ubon Ratchathani. Following these clashes, the Thai military used its aircraft to carry out bombing raids on Cambodian military targets. Cambodia's Ministry of Defense reported that the Thai military conducted two separate attacks on Cambodian forces early in the morning, while border tensions had been steadily increasing over the past few days.
Cambodia refrained from responding at the time, but the Thai military claims that Cambodian forces fired BM-21 rockets at Thai civilian areas. However, no casualties have been reported from these attacks.
This dispute intensified following five days of clashes in July, which resulted in at least 48 deaths and forced nearly 300,000 people to flee their homes. After these clashes, a ceasefire agreement was brokered by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and in October, both nations signed a broader peace deal.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen condemned the Thai military as aggressive, accusing them of intentionally escalating tensions. He instructed the Cambodian forces to exercise patience, noting that a red line for retaliation had already been established.
The Thai military has begun evacuating more than 385,000 civilians from the border areas, with over 35,000 people relocated to temporary shelters.
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has been ongoing for over a century, stemming from the colonial era under French rule in 1907. Throughout the years, there have been numerous border skirmishes and military operations.
Despite mediation efforts by US President Donald Trump, who hailed the ceasefire as a successful initiative, the recent surge in tensions has cast doubt on the effectiveness of these peace efforts.