Fatal Thailand-Cambodia clashes spread along contested border area
What's the story
Renewed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have erupted along their disputed border, with each side blaming the other for the escalation. The conflict has derailed a fragile ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump in July, which had temporarily halted five days of fighting. The Thai Navy reported that Cambodian forces were detected inside Thai territory in Trat province, prompting military operations to expel them.
Escalating conflict
Rising tensions and casualties along disputed border
Cambodia's defense ministry has reported six civilian deaths due to the clashes, which restarted on Monday, while one Thai soldier has also been killed. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet condemned Thailand for using military force against civilian villages under the pretext of reclaiming sovereignty. The Thai Navy accused Cambodia of increasing its military presence with snipers and heavy weapons, adding it view the actions "as a direct and serious threat to Thailand's sovereignty."
Ongoing conflict
Historical context of Thailand-Cambodia border disputes
The clash on Monday was the worst since a July incident where 48 were killed and 300,000 displaced. In May, tensions had risen after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a skirmish, leading to troop buildups and diplomatic breakdowns. The two countries have long contested sovereignty at undemarcated points along their 817km land border, with disputes over ancient temples fueling nationalist fervor and occasional armed flare-ups.