Thailand launches airstrikes along Cambodia border as tensions escalate

Thailand carried out airstrikes along its disputed frontier with Cambodia late Monday as both governments blamed each other for triggering the latest round of violence raising new doubts about the stability of a Trump-brokered ceasefire Thai military administrators revealed Cambodian troops opened fire in several areas along the frontier resulting in the death of one Thai soldier and injuring others The Thai army revealed civilians in nearby communities were being evacuated as the situation intensified Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree explained The Associated Press that Cambodian troops fired first into Thai territory and that aircraft were used to strike military targets in several areas to suppress Cambodian supporting fire attacks Cambodia rejected that account Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata explained AP that Thai forces attacked first and declared Cambodia did not retaliate during the initial confrontation The ministry urged Thailand to halt its military actions Footage posted by Cambodia s Guidance Ministry evidenced students leaving schools near the confines as families rushed to retrieve their children TRUMP THREATENS HAMAS IF GAZA CEASEFIRE COLLAPSES AS JD VANCE TO VISIT ISRAELThe escalation follows a smaller exchange of fire on Sunday Thailand disclosed Cambodian forces wounded two of its soldiers before Thai troops responded for roughly minutes Cambodia claimed Thailand initiated that encounter as well and reported it did not return fire Tensions have persisted despite an October ceasefire negotiated by U S President Donald Trump which brought an end to five days of fighting in July that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians That agreement proved signs of strain last month when several Thai soldiers were injured by land mines in contested areas leading the Thai authorities to announce it would suspend implementation of parts of the deal Both sides have continued to blame one another for ceasefire violations even as the truce calls for cooperation on mine removal and attempts to stabilize the frontier Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of conflict dating back to rival kingdoms that fought over influence for centuries In the modern era disputes have centered on French colonial-era territory line maps which Thailand argues are inaccurate Despite the October agreement neither country has reached a resolution to the underlying territorial dispute and regional observers warn that renewed clashes could draw the two nations closer to a wider conflict without renewed diplomatic engagement