Bangkok (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Thailand carried out airstrikes against Cambodia with a Thai F-16 fighter jet striking Cambodian military targets along their long-disputed boundary, escalating tensions between the Southeast Asian countries.
The strikes happened a day after a Thai soldier was injured and lost his leg from a landmine on the border. This event caused both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to lower their diplomatic relations, reaching their worst point in years.
Thailand reports that one of its six F-16 fighter jets, prepared for border deployment, fired into Cambodia and hit a military target. Both nations blamed each other for initiating the conflict early Thursday.
“We have used air power against military targets as planned,”
Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters. Thailand also closed its border with Cambodia.
Cambodia’s defence ministry said the jets dropped two bombs on a road, and that it
“strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia”.
What casualties have been reported?
Six civilians were killed and 10 others injured when a Cambodian rocket hit a bustling gas station in a Thai village, according to Thailand’s army. The rocket struck a gas station in Sisaket province, an army spokesperson stated on Thursday.
According to the Thai army, at least nine people have been killed and more than a dozen wounded in Cambodian attacks in Thailand. An 8-year-old boy was among the injured. Two more deaths occurred in Surin province, and one in Ubon Ratchathani province.
What caused the latest border tensions and clashes?
Tensions began to escalate in May following the death of a Cambodian soldier in a very short skirmish involving Thai and Cambodian forces in the contested border violence at the Emerald Triangle, where Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos meet.
Both armies claim they were acting in self-defence and accused each other of being the aggressor in the skirmish.
While military leaders on both sides provided indications they wished to de-escalate matters, both sides have threatened force and have increased troop levels.
Thailand took over border definitions, added crossing restrictions, and threatened to cut off Cambodia’s border towns’ electric supply and internet. Cambodia responded by ending the import of Thai fruits and vegetables, and prohibiting Thai movies and TV dramas.
Recent landmine explosions forced both countries down in diplomatic stature and recalled staff. The first soldier lost his leg in a landmine on July 16 greater The next incident, on Wednesday, when a blast that wounded five Thai soldiers, with one also losing his leg.
