Thailand has carried out air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, the Thai military said on Monday, after both countries accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.
At least one Thai soldier was killed and four others were wounded in fresh clashes around two areas in Ubon Ratchathani province. The Thai military said the fighting began after Cambodian forces opened fire on Thai troops.
Thailand Responds With Air Power
“The Thai side has now begun using aircraft to strike military targets in several areas,” the military said in its statement.
Cambodia’s defence ministry said Thailand launched early-morning attacks at two locations following days of provocative actions. Cambodia insisted its troops did not fire back.
Thailand also said Cambodian forces had used BM-21 rockets against Thai civilian areas, though no injuries were reported.
Ceasefire Under Strain
The border dispute escalated into a five-day conflict in July before Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire. The two leaders later attended the signing of an expanded peace agreement in Kuala Lumpur in October.
At least 48 people were killed and around 300,000 residents were displaced during the July clashes as both sides exchanged rockets and heavy artillery fire.
Last month, after a landmine explosion injured a Thai soldier, Thailand announced it would halt the implementation of the ceasefire pact.
Hun Sen Accuses Thailand of Provocation
Cambodia’s influential former leader Hun Sen, father of current Prime Minister Hun Manet, called Thailand’s forces “aggressors” and accused them of seeking to provoke retaliation. He urged Cambodian troops to show restraint.
“The red line for responding has already been set. I urge commanders at all levels to educate all officers and soldiers accordingly,” Hun Sen said on Facebook, without giving details.
Mass Evacuations in Thailand
Thailand’s military said more than 385,000 civilians across four border districts are being evacuated, with over 35,000 already relocated to temporary shelters.
The two countries have disputed stretches of their 817-kilometre (508-mile) border for over a century, originally mapped by France when it ruled Cambodia as a colony.
Tensions have repeatedly flared into violence—such as a weeklong artillery exchange in 2011—despite numerous attempts to settle the disagreements peacefully.