Cambodia (National Times): Rising tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have led to deadly confrontations along the disputed border, with officials confirming the combined death toll has reached 32, as concerns grow over the possibility of a prolonged conflict in the region.
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence announced on Saturday that 12 more lives were lost, seven civilians and five soldiers, bringing Cambodia’s casualty count to 19. The most recent fatalities include a man killed in a rocket strike on a Buddhist pagoda where he had sought refuge on Thursday.
In addition to the fatalities, Cambodia has reported over 70 injuries, comprising both civilians and military personnel.
Thailand has confirmed 19 deaths on its side, including 13 civilians and six soldiers, over two days of hostilities. More than 50 individuals, among them 30 civilians and 29 soldiers, have been wounded in Cambodian strikes, according to Thai military sources.
Mass evacuations are underway in both countries. Authorities in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province reported that approximately 20,000 people have been moved from border regions. On the Thai side, over 138,000 residents have been relocated to safety, with the government setting up around 300 evacuation shelters. Martial law has been declared in eight Thai districts bordering Cambodia.
The longstanding territorial dispute reignited after a landmine explosion on Thursday injured five Thai soldiers. This incident triggered cross-border hostilities, with both governments accusing the other of firing the first shots.
Thai officials allege that Cambodian forces launched long-range rockets at civilian areas, including a deadly strike on a petrol station that killed six people. In retaliation, Thailand deployed an F-16 fighter jet to target sites inside Cambodia, one of which included the Buddhist pagoda where civilian casualties were reported.
Cambodia, meanwhile, has accused Thailand of deploying cluster munitions, weapons banned by numerous international treaties, branding the action a breach of global humanitarian norms.
Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, claimed that Cambodian strikes on civilian zones and medical facilities may constitute war crimes.
Amid mounting international concern, the United Nations Security Council convened behind closed doors on Friday to address the crisis. While no formal statement was issued, diplomatic sources confirmed that all 15 member states urged immediate de-escalation and called on both nations to seek a peaceful resolution.
The border conflict, deeply rooted in decades of unresolved territorial claims, has once again brought Southeast Asia to a volatile edge, with global observers closely monitoring for signs of further escalation.
