As the Southeast Asian neighbors’ diplomatic disputes grow worse along the Thai-Cambodian border, at least 11 civilians and one soldier are killed, all on the Thai side.
Both countries engaged in gunfire, which was followed by accusations of who started the fighting on Thursday. Since Wednesday, diplomatic ties have severely deteriorated, making it impossible for Thailand to cross Cambodian land borders without exception.
Nationalist sentiments have been causing tensions on both sides as the situation has gotten worse since a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation in May, adding to the already strained situation.
Six people died in an attack on a gas station in Si Sa Ket province, according to Thai military sources, making Si Sa Ket province the heaviest place to die. In three border provinces, at least 14 people were hurt.
Thai forces launched airstrikes against Cambodian military installations, and Cambodia reported Thai jets bombing a road close to the famed Preah Vihear temple.
Surasant Kongsiri, a spokesperson for the Thai Ministry of Defense, confirmed that fighting is still occurring in at least six border regions. The initial conflict broke out on Thursday near the historic Ta Muen Thom Temple, which is located along the border between Oddar Meanchey province in Cambodia and Surin province in Thailand.
Hun Manet, the prime minister of Cambodia, stated that while his country has consistently sought peaceful solutions, “we have no choice but to respond with armed force against armed aggression.”
Cambodia removed the Thai ambassador from Bangkok earlier on Thursday, and the country’s diplomatic relations with Thailand were brought back to normal. In response to Thailand’s withdrawal on Wednesday and the removal of the Cambodian ambassador in protest of a landmine explosion that left five Thai soldiers injured, this was followed by this action.
Source: Aljazeera
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