This Monday, December 8, the Thai Army launched air strikes on the border with Cambodia, after the death of a soldier by gunfire allegedly coming from the Cambodian side, amid a resumption of armed clashes between the two countries.
At least four Cambodian civilians were killed and nine were injured, Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said.
The Thai Armed Forces, which also report the existence of four soldiers injured in the clashes, confirmed the air operations in a statement, clarifying that it was “a response to Cambodian military operations”, while Phnom Penh denies having started the shooting.
Bangkok guarantees that it attacked “only military infrastructures, weapons depots, command centers and combat support routes” associated with activities considered a threat to Thai national security.
On the other hand, military reports report numerous clashes in the last 24 hours at various points along the almost 820-kilometer border, where both governments began to evacuate civilians and mobilize defense personnel and material.
Phnom Penh, in turn, once again accused Thailand of being responsible for several provocations in recent days and guaranteed this Monday that Cambodian soldiers did not retaliate against enemy attacks.
“Cambodia urges Thailand to immediately cease all hostile activities that threaten peace and stability in the region”declared Cambodian Ministry of Defense spokeswoman Maly Socheata.