Thailand repels Cambodian invasion: Dozens killed, over 100,000 evacuated
Photo: Thailand repelled the Cambodian invasion (Getty Images)
The Thai Defense Ministry reported repelling a Cambodian military invasion in Trat province. The conflict on the border escalated after two days of fierce fighting, reports Bloomberg.
On Saturday morning, the Thai Navy conducted a control operation in response to the breakthrough of Cambodian units into the eastern province of Trat.
According to the country's Ministry of Defense, the invasion occurred at three points along the border region.
According to Bangkok, at least 19 people were killed in the three days of fighting, including six soldiers, and more than 60 others were injured. The Cambodian side reported 13 deaths.
A state of emergency was declared in the region. More than 100,000 civilians were evacuated.
The clashes were accompanied by combat aircraft, artillery, and missile systems.
For the first time since 2011, the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border approached a full-scale conflict.
Historical roots
The previous incident in May - the death of a Cambodian soldier and the injury of two Thai soldiers - was the starting point of the escalation.
Both countries insist they were acting in self-defense. Thailand is demanding that Cambodia cease hostilities as a condition for ceasefire negotiations to begin.
The conflict has deep historical roots. The dispute over the exact state border has been going on since the early twentieth century.
The Preah Vihear Temple area, the subject of a long-standing territorial dispute that remains a sensitive issue for both countries, was again the subject of a separate escalation.
While official Phnom Penh has not given any sign of de-escalation, analysts warn that further escalation could have consequences not only for regional stability but also for cooperation within ASEAN.
Conflict between Cambodia and Thailand
The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated sharply after a shootout on the border, where the military of both countries accused each other of provocation.
According to the Thai army, it was the Cambodians who opened fire first, but Phnom Penh insists otherwise.
The clashes broke out near ancient temples that had previously been a source of tension. As a result of artillery shelling in Thailand, civilians were killed.
Bangkok's military responded with air strikes - F-16s hit a target in Cambodia. The border between the two countries is now completely closed.
