Renewed Fighting Along Thailand–Cambodia Border Kills Dozens
Renewed fighting along the Thailand–Cambodia border has killed at least 13 and displaced hundreds of thousands. Cambodia reported nine civilians dead and 20 injured, while Thailand said four soldiers were killed and 68 wounded.
The violence erupted Sunday night days after Thailand suspended a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, following a landmine blast that injured a Thai soldier. BBC reported that, as of Tuesday, violence had spread to six provinces in northeastern Thailand and five provinces in northern and northwestern Cambodia.
Thai forces said Tuesday that their tanks struck a border casino used as a Cambodian weapons depot, while F-16 fighter jets targeted military positions.
Open sources reported that Thai forces used T-84 BM Oplot-T main battle tanks, sold to Thailand by Ukraine in 2018. They also reportedly employed U.S.-made 105mm M40 and China-made 82mm PW-78 recoilless guns during the attacks.
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said its troops were forced to respond defensively to Thailand’s attacks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement, called for an immediate halt to hostilities and for a resumption of de-escalatory measures agreed in October.
A top adviser to Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet told Reuters late Tuesday that his country was “ready to talk at any time,” while Thailand’s foreign minister said in an interview that he saw no potential for negotiations, adding the situation was not conducive to third-party mediation.
