BANGKOK – On Friday, as diplomatic discussions aimed at halting recent hostilities were underway, Thailand and Cambodia found themselves embroiled in renewed conflict along their shared border. These clashes reignited tensions that had simmered since early December, shattering a peace agreement reached just five months prior.
According to Cambodia’s Defense Ministry, Thai forces deployed F-16 fighter jets to launch approximately 40 bombs on a village in Banteay Meanchey, a province in Cambodia’s northwest region.
While reports of casualties were not immediately available, the ministry indicated that the bombardment resulted in significant destruction to homes and infrastructure.
Thailand’s military acknowledged the offensive, asserting that the coordinated efforts of their army and air force were necessary to safeguard their Sa Kaeo province. This region, adjacent to Banteay Meanchey, is a hotspot for territorial disputes between the two nations.
These territorial disputes, which have festered for years along the border, escalated into violence in late July. Efforts to mediate by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with support from U.S. President Donald Trump, culminated in a fragile ceasefire after five days of intense fighting.
Both nations claim their military maneuvers are defensive and accuse the other of violating the ceasefire agreement.
“If Cambodia is not sincere about a ceasefire, peace will not be possible, and Thailand will have no choice but to proceed with full-scale military operations to defend its sovereignty,” Air Marshal Jackkrit Thammavichai, a spokesperson for Thailand’s air force, said Friday.
Military officials of both nations, meanwhile, held a third day of working-level talks of their already established General Border Committee at a checkpoint between Cambodia’s Pailin province and Thailand’s Chanthaburi province.
The committee meeting is expected to conclude on Saturday, when Thai and Cambodian defense ministers are anticipated to join and formalize an agreement.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday that Thailand expected Cambodia to agree to a 72-hour ceasefire, and if it was successfully implemented, Thailand would consider repatriating Cambodian prisoners of war, a major demand.
Thailand has lost 26 soldiers and one civilian as a direct result of the combat since Dec. 7, according to officials. Thailand has also reported 44 civilian deaths from collateral effects of the situation. Cambodia hasn’t issued an official figure on military casualties, but says that 30 civilians have been killed and 90 injured.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from affected areas on both sides of the border.
Trump spoke by phone with the Thai and Cambodian prime ministers on Dec. 12 and claimed on social media that they had agreed to revive their ceasefire. Anutin denied such an agreement and fighting continued.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed in a call this week to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet that Washington is prepared “to facilitate discussions to ensure peace and stability” between Cambodia and Thailand, the U.S. State Department said.
Amid the fighting, Thai media this week have highlighted the rescue of five malnourished wild animals — a male lion, a lioness, a sun bear and two Asiatic black bears — from a casino allegedly serving as a Cambodian military stronghold that was captured on Sunday by Thai marines.
The animals were sedated and transported to wildlife breeding centers in Thailand, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation told The Associated Press on Friday. Arriving at their new homes by Christmas, the lioness was named “Merry” and the lion “Christmas” to celebrate their rescue.
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Sopheng Cheang contributed to this report from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
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