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Tensions Flare on Thai-Cambodian Border as Military Advances Amid Cease-fire Talks
Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia – In a significant escalation of ongoing border disputes, the Thai military launched air strikes and subsequently advanced into Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey Province on Friday morning, even as negotiations for a potential cease-fire continued.
Thai forces, including tanks, armored vehicles, and infantry, pushed into Chouk Chey Village within the O’Chrov District, located in northwestern Cambodia along the Thai border. The ground offensive followed approximately an hour of intense aerial bombardment by Thai F-16 fighter jets, which reportedly dropped around 40 bombs on the area between 6:08 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. local time.
Cambodian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Lt. Gen.
Maly Socheata strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as “ruthless and inhumane.” Socheata stated that the air strikes resulted in the destruction of public infrastructure, civilian homes, and private property, calling them “indiscriminate attacks by the Thai military” and a “serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
She affirmed the Cambodian military’s commitment to defending its national territories, declaring, “We will protect our dignity with courage and unwavering resolve, at any cost, and without succumbing to coercion or intimidation in any form.”
However, Thai Air Force officials, in statements to the BBC, denied targeting civilians or their residences. They asserted that their strikes were directed at a “fortified military position” after civilians had been evacuated from the area. The stated objective of Friday’s military actions was to secure control of the village of Nong Chan.
These latest military maneuvers unfold against a backdrop of ongoing diplomatic efforts. Cambodian and Thai negotiators were reportedly meeting at a border checkpoint for a third consecutive day to discuss a cease-fire, with further talks scheduled for Saturday.
The renewed hostilities in December mark a breakdown of a cease-fire agreement reached in July, which followed earlier clashes stemming from border disputes that have simmered since the early 20th century. Since fighting resumed this month along the 500-mile border, at least 41 people have died, and approximately one million more have been displaced.
The current wave of conflict initially reignited in May with the death of a Cambodian soldier in a clash, escalating significantly when the Cambodian military fired rockets into Thailand on July 24. Both Chinese and U.S. officials have reportedly attempted to mediate a lasting peace between the two nations.