Phnom Penh: Two more Cambodian civilians were killed early Tuesday amid renewed fighting between Cambodia and Thailand along the border, raising the civilian death toll to at least six, Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said. According to a ministry press release, the Thai army “continued to fire at Cambodian forces and civilians throughout the night” from Monday into early Tuesday. Two civilians travelling along a national highway were killed in the attack. The ministry added that since 4:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Thai troops had continued strikes in Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Pursat provinces.
Border Tensions Flare Again
The violence erupted less than two months after both countries signed a joint peace declaration. Fresh clashes involving artillery fire were reported across several border districts, forcing residents to evacuate. Each country blamed the other for initiating the fighting, and both confirmed casualties, Xinhua reported.
On Monday, the Thai Army said it deployed fighter jets after Cambodian attacks killed two Thai soldiers and injured four others. In contrast, a Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson accused Thai soldiers of firing on Cambodian forces for a second consecutive day, insisting that Cambodia did not fire back.
Conflicting Accounts of the Clashes
Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree said the latest incident occurred around 7:00 a.m. in the Chong Bok area of Nam Yuen District. Thai soldiers were targeted with “supporting fire weapons,” resulting in five casualties. This followed an earlier confrontation around 5:05 a.m. in the nearby Chong An Ma area, where Cambodian troops allegedly used small arms and indirect fire. Thailand said it responded “under the rules of engagement.”
Following the casualties, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) launched air operations against Cambodian military installations. RTAF spokesperson Jackkrit Thammavichai said, “These developments prompted the use of air power to deter and reduce Cambodia’s military capabilities to the minimum level necessary to safeguard national security and protect civilians.”
Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Provocation
Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata stated that around 5:04 a.m. on Monday, Thai forces attacked Cambodian troops in An Ses area of Preah Vihear province.
She added that Thailand then fired tank rounds at Tamoan Thom temple, 5 Makara, areas near Preah Vihear temple, and the Chomka Chek region.
Socheata claimed the attack followed “numerous provocative actions” by Thai forces in recent days, especially a confrontation on Sunday in the Prorlean Thmar area She stressed that Cambodia “did not retaliate at all during the two assaults”, maintaining a stance of restraint and a commitment to “respecting all previous agreements and resolving conflicts peacefully according to international law.” Cambodia has also notified the ASEAN Observer Team and plans to request a formal investigation into the incident.
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