Fighting erupted near the Ta Moan Thom temple in a disputed border area between Thailand and Cambodia this morning, with both sides accusing the other of firing first.
The Thai military later announced that one of its 6 F-16 fighter jets deployed along the disputed border region had opened fire, destroying a Cambodian military target. "We used air power to attack military locations as planned," said Thai military deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon.
Suksuwanon said the fighting had spread to the Pha Mor E Daeng area and the Preah Vihear temple in Si Sa Ket province, accusing Cambodian forces of using various weapons, including BM-21 multiple rocket launchers. "Thai forces operated according to plan and responded with artillery fire," he said.
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Thai F-16 fighter jets in Nakhon Ratchasima province in a photo posted in 2024. *Photo: Royal Thai Air Force* |
Thailand's Second Army Region, which oversees the area bordering Cambodia, announced that fighting was taking place in 6 areas: Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Prasat Ta Kwai, Chong Bok, Khao Phra Wihan, Chong An Ma, and Chong Chom. The unit also confirmed that F-16 fighter jets had attacked "Cambodian infantry regiments."
The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense confirmed that Thai fighter jets dropped two bombs on Wat Kaew Sikkhakirivoraram Road in an area controlled by Phnom Penh.
The ministry accused Thailand of deploying a large number of soldiers and heavy weapons to "occupy Cambodian territory by force," calling it a "blatant violation of the UN Charter, ASEAN norms, and core principles of international law."
Thai officials previously reported that the clashes killed two civilians near the border and injured two others. Approximately 40,000 residents from 86 villages near the Thai border have been evacuated to safety.
The clashes come amid increasing tensions between Cambodia and Thailand. On 23/7, Thai authorities accused Cambodia of planting landmines in the disputed border area where a clash in May injured a Thai soldier. Bangkok then decided to expel the Cambodian ambassador and recall its own ambassador, announcing a downgrade in diplomatic relations.
The Cambodian government took similar action today in response, announcing a downgrade of relations with Thailand to the "lowest level" and recalling its diplomats from Bangkok.
Pham Giang (*Reuters, Khmer Times, Nation Thailand*)