Civilians killed in Thai airstrikes against Cambodia

TT

Updated 09.00 | Published 03.24

 

Image distributed by Thailand's military, which is said to show an injured soldier being taken to hospital in the province of Sisaket on Sunday. Photo: Thai Army Via AP/TT

Thailand has carried out airstrikes against Cambodia since new fighting broke out in border areas.

The countries blame each other for the unrest, in which civilians are said to have been killed.

A Thai soldier was killed and four others were wounded when they were fired upon by Cambodian forces in Ubon Ratchathani province overnight Monday local time, Thailand's defense force said.

Cambodia, for its part, claims that at least four Cambodian civilians were killed in subsequent Thai airstrikes against the border provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey.

Over 385,000 people in four border areas in Thailand are now being evacuated, Reuters reports. On the Cambodian side, several schools have been closed, among other things.

The relationship between the countries deteriorated already in May, when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead during an exchange of fire across the border. After that, regular fighting broke out before an initial ceasefire was concluded in August, partly brokered by US President Donald Trump.

The parties have since clashed on several occasions, and in November an "extended ceasefire" was put on hold.