Journalism of Courage
Thailand-Cambodia Border Clash News: Thailand has launched airstrikes against Cambodia on Monday along its disputed border, Thai army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvaree said as both countries accused each other of breaching a ceasefire agreement signed two months ago which was presided over by US President Donald Trump, Reuters reported.
A Thai military official said that the airstrike on Cambodian military along the disputed border were retaliation for an attack earlier on Monday that killed one Thai soldier and wounded seven others, Reuters reported. The airstrike took place in the easternmost province of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand’s military said in a statement, after its troops allegedly came under Cambodian attack.
“The Thai side has now begun using aircraft to strike military targets in several areas,” the Thai army statement added. Cambodian defence ministry, meanwhile said, that Thai military launched attacks on its forces at two different location early on Monday, following days of provocative actions and claimed that Cambodian troops had not retaliated.
“Cambodia urges that Thailand immediately stop all hostile activities that threaten peace and stability in the region,” said Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata.
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia triggered into a five-day war in July wherein at least 48 people were killed over 300,000 were temporarily displaced amid exchange of rockets and heavy artillery fire. President Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim brokered a ceasefire deal in October and an expanded peace agreement was signed between the two countries in Kuala Lumpur.
The US brokered ceasefire had been threatened last month when a member of Thai army was injured by land mines. A Reuters report states that Thailand army had said at the time they were halting the implementation of the ceasefire pact with Cambodia.
After the recent airstrikes, Thai military said that more than 385,000 civilians across four border districts in the country are being evacuated and over 35,000 people have already been shifted to temporary shelters.
(with inputs from agencies)
