Tensions are boiling over between Thailand and Cambodia, threatening the peace deal between the two countries President Donald Trump brokered earlier this year.
This week, both sides accused the other of breaking the ceasefire over a century-old dispute, after the latest round of clashes killed at least one Thai soldier and four Cambodian civilians, according to authorities.
After a smaller exchange of fire on Sunday, conflict erupted again early Monday morning, when Thailand carried out airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia. Clashes occurred in five border locations, according to Thailand’s army, with the development coming after similar skirmishes last month threatened to upend the October truce.
Thailand accused Cambodia of firing first, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul saying his country “has never initiated a fight or an invasion, but will never tolerate a violation of its sovereignty.”
Cambodian troops fired into Thai territory in multiple areas, Thai army spokesman Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree told the Associated Press. The strikes killed one and injured at least eight other soldiers, he continued, adding that Thailand responded by using aircraft “to strike military targets in several areas to suppress Cambodian supporting fire attacks.”
Cambodia alleged Thailand was the first to break the ceasefire, injuring nine in addition to the four civilians killed, according to Neth Pheaktra, the Cambodian minister of information. Cambodian troops did not retaliate during the initial attacks, according to Defense Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata.
“I ask all ministries, institutions, authorities at all levels, all types of armed forces, and all Cambodian citizens to unite for the cause of the nation and the homeland during this difficult period,” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet wrote in a post to Facebook.
The latest skirmishes have uprooted hundreds of thousands of civilians along the border. Thailand said 380,000 people were being moved to shelters, and Cambodian authorities said 1,157 families were being relocated from the Oddar Meanchey province.
Nearly 650 schools across five Thai provinces have been ordered to shut for safety reasons, Thailand’s education minister said, according to the BBC.
THAILAND AND CAMBODIA ACCUSE EACH OTHER OF NEW ATTACKS AS CONFLICT’S DEATH TOLL GROWS
The developments mark a blow to the peace agreement Trump hashed out between the two countries in July. The president presided over the signing of a formal deal months later, in October.
“We did something that a lot of people said couldn’t be done,” Trump said at the time.
