Early Thursday morning, a serious escalation occurred in a long-standing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, with armed clashes at at least six points along their shared border.
The clash left at least 12 dead, mostly Thai civilians, and more than 30 injured, making it the most violent confrontation between the two nations since 2011.
The violence erupted after a landmine explosion the previous day that injured five Thai soldiers, which led Bangkok to withdraw its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expel the Cambodian diplomat.
According to the Thai Ministry of Defense, the fighting included the use of small arms, heavy artillery, and rockets, to which Thailand replied with airstrikes, one of which bombed a Cambodian military position.
Both countries accuse each other
The first skirmish took place Thursday near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple, in Thailand's Surin province, a historically disputed area. Both countries accuse each other of initiating the aggression.
Cambodia claims its attacks were limited to military targets in defense of its sovereignty, while Thailand alleges that Cambodian forces attacked civilian areas, including a hospital, which constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law.
Thailand's Minister of Public Health reported that among the deceased were a soldier and 11 civilians, including two minors aged 8 and 15. He also denounced attacks on hospitals, labeling them as war crimes.
