Bloody Clashes Between Cambodia and Thailand on Disputed Border

Armed tensions renewed between Cambodia and Thailand on Thursday morning, with an exchange of gunfire between the two countries' forces in a disputed border area, bringing back to light an old conflict escalating day by day.

The defense ministries of both countries confirmed the clashes, exchanging accusations about which side initiated the gunfire, in a new escalation of a long-standing dispute over sovereignty in the area of the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos converge.

This tension has intensified since last May when the border dispute turned into a military confrontation resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Since then, both sides have exchanged accusations and retaliatory measures, including Thailand restricting cross-border movement, while Cambodia suspended some imports from its western neighbor.

As a sign of the crisis escalating, Thai authorities announced on Wednesday the expulsion of the Cambodian ambassador from the country and summoned its envoy in Phnom Penh, after a Thai soldier was severely injured by a landmine explosion on the border line, leading to the amputation of his leg.

Thursday morning, new clashes broke out near two temples located on the border between Thailand's Surin province and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey.

A Cambodian government source stated that the confrontations erupted after Thai forces approached Cambodian military positions.

In an official statement, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Malis Sotchita said that the Thai forces "violated the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Cambodia by launching an armed attack on our forces stationed to defend its territory," adding that the Cambodian army "exercised its legitimate right to self-defense in accordance with international law."

In contrast, the Thai army reported that the clash began around 7:35 a.m. local time when a Cambodian drone was spotted flying in the area by a guard unit at the temple of Ta Moi.

They added that six armed Cambodian soldiers, one of them carrying a rocket-propelled grenade, approached the barbed wire border fence, and Thai soldiers warned them not to come closer. However, at 8:20, the Cambodian forces opened fire towards the Thai side of the temple, about 200 meters from a Thai base.

These developments come at a sensitive time internally in Thailand, where the Prime Minister faces increasing pressure after a leaked conversation between him and his Cambodian counterpart led thousands to protest demanding his resignation.

On the other hand, the Cambodian political scene is witnessing significant changes after veteran Prime Minister Hun Sen announced his resignation after 40 years in power, in favor of his son, with a warning of a possible return to power if "necessary."