BANGKOK, THAILAND – An F-16 fighter jet was deployed by Thailand to bomb targets in Cambodia, escalating a border battle that has resulted in at least 11 civilian deaths and one soldier fatality.
Tensions between the two Southeast Asian countries reached a boiling point on Thursday, with both sides trading blame for the outbreak of violence along their disputed border.
The clash began with small arms fire and quickly escalated to heavy shelling in at least six locations.
Cambodia condemned Thailand’s actions as “reckless and brutal military aggression,” while Thailand justified the use of air power as a precision strike.
The United States, a long-time treaty ally of Thailand, has called for an immediate end to hostilities and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The latest confrontation follows a deterioration in diplomatic ties between the two countries, sparked by the discovery of landmines allegedly laid by rival troops.
At least 12 fatalities have been reported in three Thai provinces, with 31 people injured. The number of Cambodian casualties remains unclear.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has written to the United Nations Security Council, urging an immediate meeting to address what he termed “unprovoked and premeditated military aggression” by Thailand.
Meanwhile, Thai villagers, including children and the elderly, have fled to concrete shelters fortified with sandbags and car tires.
The disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia has been a source of tension for decades, with ownership of ancient Hindu temples and undemarcated points along the 817 km land border at the heart of the dispute.
The Philippines, Vietnam, and China have all called for restraint and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Authorities in Thailand have evacuated over 40,000 people from border areas, moving them to temporary shelters.
The Thai government has urged civilians to stay indoors and avoid traveling to the border regions until the situation stabilizes.