Thailand has launched airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, escalating tensions after a ceasefire brokered by Donald Trump collapsed. The renewed clashes have killed four Cambodian civilians and at least one Thai soldier, with tens of thousands forced to flee their homes.
Thailand's military said the airstrikes were launched after one of its soldiers was killed and four wounded in fighting on Monday morning. The Thai air force accused Cambodia of mobilising heavy weaponry and repositioning combat units, while Cambodia's defence ministry blamed Thailand for the escalation, saying its forces had attacked first.
Cambodia's information minister, Neth Pheaktra, reported that four civilians were killed in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces. The violence follows a five-day war in July that killed at least 48 people and displaced 300,000, ended by a Trump-brokered ceasefire. Tensions have remained high, with both sides accusing each other of violations, and Thailand suspending the deal in November.
Thai army chief of staff Gen Chaiyapruek Duangprapat said the goal was to cripple Cambodia's military capability. Cambodia's former prime minister Hun Sen urged restraint, warning against retaliation. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul denied initiating conflict but said Thailand would not tolerate sovereignty violations.
More than 385,000 civilians have been ordered to evacuate from Thai border areas, with about 50,000 in shelters. On the Cambodian side, 1,157 families have been evacuated. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who helped broker the original ceasefire, urged both sides to avoid escalation, warning it could unravel regional stability.
The border dispute dates back over a century to French colonial mapping. Tensions flared in May with a brief exchange of fire, leading to July's conflict. Despite Trump's intervention, the ceasefire has remained fragile, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of laying landmines and Cambodia accusing Thailand of opening fire.
