Tensions along the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia reportedly flared into violence this week as troops from both nations exchanged gunfire, resulting in at least 12 fatalities and several injuries, according to military officials on both sides.
The clash took place in the early hours of Tuesday in a forested area near the contentious Preah Vihear temple region, long claimed by both countries.
Each side blamed the other for initiating the firefight, which quickly escalated into a full-blown skirmish involving heavy weaponry.
Reports suggest that mortars, machine guns, and small arms were used in the engagement, which lasted for several hours before subsiding.
This is the deadliest confrontation between the two neighbors in over a decade. Although border incidents are not uncommon, most have been limited to brief flare-ups or isolated gunfire.
Tuesday’s battle marks a significant escalation, sparking concern among regional observers and diplomats.
Thai officials said the clash began when Cambodian forces crossed into Thai territory and fired on a patrol unit. “Our men were on routine patrol when they came under unprovoked fire,” said one Thai military spokesman. “We responded appropriately to defend our sovereignty.” Cambodian sources, however, claimed Thai soldiers fired first, prompting a defensive response. “We acted only after coming under direct threat,” a Cambodian official said.
The area where the fighting occurred has long been a flashpoint.
Though a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice granted Cambodia sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple itself, the surrounding land remains disputed.
Both countries have maintained a strong military presence in the region, with nationalist sentiments often inflaming tensions.
Local villagers were evacuated as a precaution, and both governments have placed border troops on high alert. Thai leaders called for restraint but defended the military’s actions as justified.
Cambodian officials, while expressing sorrow for the loss of life, said they were prepared to defend their claims if hostilities resumed.
Regional leaders, including ASEAN representatives, have urged immediate de-escalation and dialogue to prevent further bloodshed. While both governments have expressed interest in negotiations, neither side has agreed to a formal ceasefire or third-party mediation.
The incident threatens to destabilize an already fragile relationship between Bangkok and Phnom Penh. With elections looming in both countries, nationalist rhetoric may yet override diplomatic caution. For now, calm has returned to the border—but the peace remains uncertain, and the risk of renewed violence lingers.
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