Thai Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree reported that in response to the gunfire, Thailand intensified its military operations, using aircraft to target Cambodian forces. Cambodia’s defense ministry condemned the Thai actions, claiming they were unprovoked and involved artillery fire near historic sites.
Evacuations of approximately 35,000 residents near the border have occurred amid fears of escalating violence. The renewed conflict marks a troubling chapter in a long-standing territorial dispute, which previously flared this summer, resulting in significant casualties and displacements.
Tensions had eased following a truce mediated by international parties, but recent skirmishes have reignited the violence. The ongoing dispute centers around historical border demarcations established during French colonial rule, with both nations claiming ownership of various temples and lands.
