Thailand-Cambodia border conflict: Thailand deployed six F-16 fighter jets on Thursday morning, targeting what it described as Cambodian military bases near the disputed northeastern border. The move followed reports of gunfire and rocket attacks launched from Cambodian positions.
According to the Thai army, clashes had broken out at six locations by mid-morning. One of the F-16s fired into Cambodian territory and destroyed a designated target.
“We have used air power against military targets as planned,” Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters on Thursday.
In a social media post, the army later confirmed, “All Thai F-16s have returned home safely and intact, after a rapid deployment to drop bombs on Cambodian battalions.”
According to the Thai army, at least 9 civilians have been killed in the conflict.
Of the six F-16 fighter jets that Thailand readied to deploy along the disputed border, one of the aircraft fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target, the Thai army said. Both countries accused each other of starting the clash early on Thursday, as reported by Reuters.
"We have used air power against military targets as planned," Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters. Thailand also closed its border with Cambodia.
Cambodia's defence ministry said the jets dropped two bombs on a road, and that it "strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia". The skirmishes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok, after a second Thai soldier in the space of a week lost a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently in the disputed area. Thailand's foreign ministry said Cambodian troops fired "heavy artillery" on a Thai military base on Thursday morning and also targeted civilian areas including a hospital, leading to civilian casualties.
"The Royal Thai Government is prepared to intensify our self-defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailand's sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement.
Thailand on Thursday announced that it is closing all its border points with Cambodia after at least three people have been injured in a "targetted attack on civilians" by rockets of Cambodian forces that struck its border area of the two countries, the Royal Thai Army said on Thursday.
The development marked an escalation of long-standing dispute between the neighbouring countries.
Thailand-Cambodia conflict: Fighting breaks out near ancient temples
The violence began early Thursday near the Ta Muen Thom temple, a centuries-old site located in a region long contested by both nations. Thai military officials reported spotting a Cambodian drone around 7:30 am, followed by the arrival of six armed Cambodian soldiers near a Thai army base.
By 8:20 am, Cambodia allegedly opened fire on Thai troops stationed near the border. The Thai army claimed that artillery had been set up in nearby communities, using civilians in border towns as human shields.
The military also accused Cambodian forces of firing heavy weapons into Kap Choeng district, injuring three civilians.
“The attack injured three civilians. Thai authorities have promptly evacuated residents from the area to ensure the safety of lives and property,” the army said in a statement.
Cambodia confirms strikes, denounces Thailand’s actions
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed that Thai airstrikes had hit its territory. The ministry said fighter jets dropped two bombs on a road leading to Wat Kaew Seekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda, located near the disputed zone.
“All of these areas are within Cambodian territory,” the ministry said in a statement published by CNN.
It added that Thailand had “destroyed” two Cambodian regional military headquarters. The Cambodian government described the airstrikes as “brutal, barbaric and violent military aggression.”
“These unlawful and irresponsible actions not only pose a grave threat to regional peace and stability but also undermine the foundation of international order,” said Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata, quoted in Khmer Times.
Lieutenant General Maly Socheata also told CNN, “Cambodian forces acted strictly within the bounds of self-defence, responding to an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops that violated our territorial integrity.”
Thailand Border Conflict: Cambodia warns of retaliation, PM speaks out
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet addressed the nation via Facebook, stating that Thai forces had attacked Cambodian army positions in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces, as well as sites in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province.
“Cambodia has always maintained a position of peaceful resolution of problems, but in this case, we have no choice but to respond with armed force against armed aggression,” said Hun Manet.
He urged citizens to remain calm while the situation develops.
Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict: Casualties and escalating civilian impact
Thailand reported at least two of its soldiers injured in the clash, according to Reuters. At least one civilian was killed and three more wounded, including a five-year-old child. BM-21 rocket fire from Cambodian positions reportedly struck civilian areas in Surin province.
Two hospitals in the area began evacuating patients as artillery fire continued. Thai authorities say Cambodian rockets also targeted Phanom Dong Rak Hospital.
The interior ministry has since started evacuating communities across the border zone and warned civilians to seek shelter.
Border Shut, Citizens Told to Flee
Thailand closed all northeastern border checkpoints with Cambodia and issued an advisory for its citizens to evacuate from Cambodia if possible. The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh posted alerts and emergency contact lines.
A livestream from Thai border towns showed residents fleeing into bunkers as explosions rang out in the background.
Thailand-Cambodia Conflict: What happened in the past 48 hours
The diplomatic fallout has been swift. Within two days, Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and Cambodia retaliated by pulling its own envoy from Bangkok and downgrading ties.
The move came after Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new landmines in contested areas. Phnom Penh denied the claim, stating that any explosions were caused by leftover ordnance from previous conflicts.
The landmine blast that injured five Thai soldiers on Wednesday is believed to have triggered this latest escalation. Thai authorities said the devices were newly planted Russian-made mines, which would breach previous safety agreements.
Cambodia reinstates conscription amid tensions
Internally, Cambodia is stepping up military readiness. Prime Minister Hun Manet has confirmed that the country will revive its long-dormant conscription law, with civilian drafting to begin next year.
He framed the decision as necessary to defend Cambodia’s sovereignty. “We have no choice but to respond with armed force against armed aggression,” he said, repeating his earlier stance.
The conflict has also rattled Thailand’s domestic politics. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended earlier this month over an ethics probe tied to her handling of the crisis.
A leaked phone call between her and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen caused further unrest, with critics accusing her of undermining the Thai military’s authority.
The root of the conflict lies in long-standing territorial disputes, especially around temple sites such as Preah Vihear, which was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962. Despite the ruling, nationalist groups in Thailand continue to dispute ownership.
In 2011, a fresh ICJ clarification reaffirmed Cambodia’s claim, yet the area has remained volatile, with periodic clashes flaring up over the past decade.
The latest fighting marks one of the most serious escalations in years and shows little sign of de-escalation.
(With inputs from TOI, CNN, Reuters)
According to the Thai army, clashes had broken out at six locations by mid-morning. One of the F-16s fired into Cambodian territory and destroyed a designated target.
“We have used air power against military targets as planned,” Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters on Thursday.
In a social media post, the army later confirmed, “All Thai F-16s have returned home safely and intact, after a rapid deployment to drop bombs on Cambodian battalions.”
According to the Thai army, at least 9 civilians have been killed in the conflict.
Of the six F-16 fighter jets that Thailand readied to deploy along the disputed border, one of the aircraft fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target, the Thai army said. Both countries accused each other of starting the clash early on Thursday, as reported by Reuters.
"We have used air power against military targets as planned," Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters. Thailand also closed its border with Cambodia.
Cambodia's defence ministry said the jets dropped two bombs on a road, and that it "strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia". The skirmishes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok, after a second Thai soldier in the space of a week lost a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently in the disputed area. Thailand's foreign ministry said Cambodian troops fired "heavy artillery" on a Thai military base on Thursday morning and also targeted civilian areas including a hospital, leading to civilian casualties.
"The Royal Thai Government is prepared to intensify our self-defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailand's sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement.
Thailand on Thursday announced that it is closing all its border points with Cambodia after at least three people have been injured in a "targetted attack on civilians" by rockets of Cambodian forces that struck its border area of the two countries, the Royal Thai Army said on Thursday.
The development marked an escalation of long-standing dispute between the neighbouring countries.
Thailand-Cambodia conflict: Fighting breaks out near ancient temples
The violence began early Thursday near the Ta Muen Thom temple, a centuries-old site located in a region long contested by both nations. Thai military officials reported spotting a Cambodian drone around 7:30 am, followed by the arrival of six armed Cambodian soldiers near a Thai army base.
By 8:20 am, Cambodia allegedly opened fire on Thai troops stationed near the border. The Thai army claimed that artillery had been set up in nearby communities, using civilians in border towns as human shields.
The military also accused Cambodian forces of firing heavy weapons into Kap Choeng district, injuring three civilians.
“The attack injured three civilians. Thai authorities have promptly evacuated residents from the area to ensure the safety of lives and property,” the army said in a statement.
Cambodia confirms strikes, denounces Thailand’s actions
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed that Thai airstrikes had hit its territory. The ministry said fighter jets dropped two bombs on a road leading to Wat Kaew Seekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda, located near the disputed zone.
“All of these areas are within Cambodian territory,” the ministry said in a statement published by CNN.
It added that Thailand had “destroyed” two Cambodian regional military headquarters. The Cambodian government described the airstrikes as “brutal, barbaric and violent military aggression.”
“These unlawful and irresponsible actions not only pose a grave threat to regional peace and stability but also undermine the foundation of international order,” said Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata, quoted in Khmer Times.
Lieutenant General Maly Socheata also told CNN, “Cambodian forces acted strictly within the bounds of self-defence, responding to an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops that violated our territorial integrity.”
Thailand Border Conflict: Cambodia warns of retaliation, PM speaks out
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet addressed the nation via Facebook, stating that Thai forces had attacked Cambodian army positions in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces, as well as sites in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province.
“Cambodia has always maintained a position of peaceful resolution of problems, but in this case, we have no choice but to respond with armed force against armed aggression,” said Hun Manet.
He urged citizens to remain calm while the situation develops.
Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict: Casualties and escalating civilian impact
Thailand reported at least two of its soldiers injured in the clash, according to Reuters. At least one civilian was killed and three more wounded, including a five-year-old child. BM-21 rocket fire from Cambodian positions reportedly struck civilian areas in Surin province.
Two hospitals in the area began evacuating patients as artillery fire continued. Thai authorities say Cambodian rockets also targeted Phanom Dong Rak Hospital.
The interior ministry has since started evacuating communities across the border zone and warned civilians to seek shelter.
Border Shut, Citizens Told to Flee
Thailand closed all northeastern border checkpoints with Cambodia and issued an advisory for its citizens to evacuate from Cambodia if possible. The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh posted alerts and emergency contact lines.
A livestream from Thai border towns showed residents fleeing into bunkers as explosions rang out in the background.
Thailand-Cambodia Conflict: What happened in the past 48 hours
The diplomatic fallout has been swift. Within two days, Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and Cambodia retaliated by pulling its own envoy from Bangkok and downgrading ties.
The move came after Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new landmines in contested areas. Phnom Penh denied the claim, stating that any explosions were caused by leftover ordnance from previous conflicts.
The landmine blast that injured five Thai soldiers on Wednesday is believed to have triggered this latest escalation. Thai authorities said the devices were newly planted Russian-made mines, which would breach previous safety agreements.
Cambodia reinstates conscription amid tensions
Internally, Cambodia is stepping up military readiness. Prime Minister Hun Manet has confirmed that the country will revive its long-dormant conscription law, with civilian drafting to begin next year.
He framed the decision as necessary to defend Cambodia’s sovereignty. “We have no choice but to respond with armed force against armed aggression,” he said, repeating his earlier stance.
The conflict has also rattled Thailand’s domestic politics. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended earlier this month over an ethics probe tied to her handling of the crisis.
A leaked phone call between her and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen caused further unrest, with critics accusing her of undermining the Thai military’s authority.
The root of the conflict lies in long-standing territorial disputes, especially around temple sites such as Preah Vihear, which was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962. Despite the ruling, nationalist groups in Thailand continue to dispute ownership.
In 2011, a fresh ICJ clarification reaffirmed Cambodia’s claim, yet the area has remained volatile, with periodic clashes flaring up over the past decade.
The latest fighting marks one of the most serious escalations in years and shows little sign of de-escalation.
(With inputs from TOI, CNN, Reuters)
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