Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata reported 13 fatalities, including 5 soldiers and 8 civilians. She added that 21 soldiers and at least 50 civilians were injured by shelling.

Cambodian authorities evacuated 35,829 people from the affected areas in Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Pursat provinces.

The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense accused the Thai military of violating international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Convention, by targeting civilians, bombing villages, and sacred sites.

"The Ministry of National Defense calls on the international community, including the United Nations Security Council, ASEAN, international partners, and all relevant parties to strongly condemn Thailand's actions," the spokesperson said.

Thailand previously denied targeting civilians, asserting that it only attacked military targets. Thailand also accused Cambodia of attacking its civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and public facilities.

Cambodian soldiers remove the body of a victim from a temple damaged by Thai shelling in Oddar Meanchey province on 25/7. Photo: AFP

Cambodian soldiers remove the body of a victim from a temple damaged by Thai shelling in Oddar Meanchey province on 25/7. Photo: AFP

Tensions between the two countries escalated on 23/7 when Thailand accused Cambodia of planting landmines in the disputed border area, the site of a clash in May that injured a Thai soldier. Fighting erupted near the Ta Moan Thom temple on the morning of 24/7 and then spread to other areas along the border. Both Cambodia and Thailand accused each other of firing first.

Forces from both countries used heavy artillery to attack each other, with Thailand claiming to have used fighter jets to strike military targets. This is the most serious clash between the two neighboring countries in over 10 years.

Thailand's Ministry of Public Health reported 15 deaths, including 14 civilians and one soldier, and 46 injuries. Over 138,000 people were evacuated.

Following a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council on the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand on 25/7, Cambodian Ambassador Chhea Keo called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

Before the meeting, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said there were signs that the fighting had begun to de-escalate on the afternoon of 25/7. He affirmed Thailand's readiness for negotiations, possibly with the support of Malaysia, the current ASEAN chair.

Huyen Le (AFP, Khmer Times)