Renewed Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes Enter Second Week, Displacing Hundreds of Thousands
Heavy fighting continues along the disputed frontier despite ceasefire efforts, with civilian suffering and international concern mounting
Renewed border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have entered a second week, with hostilities spreading across multiple sectors of the century-old disputed boundary and forcing the evacuation of more than half a million civilians from both sides.
The latest bout of violence began after a brief skirmish early last week, quickly escalating into exchanges of artillery, rocket and air strikes that derailed a fragile ceasefire previously negotiated in October with international involvement.
Thailand and Cambodia have traded accusations over who ignited the new round of fighting, each side claiming the other fired first and targeted civilian areas.
At least one civilian in Thailand has been confirmed killed by rocket fire, while dozens of military and civilian casualties have been reported on both sides as the confrontation widened beyond land and into coastal zones and other frontline regions.
Authorities in both capitals have activated curfews and emergency measures in provinces along the 800-kilometre disputed frontier, and evacuation centres are overwhelmed as families seek shelter from the fighting.
Humanitarian conditions in these camps are precarious, with shortages of food, clean water and basic services reported as tens of thousands remain displaced.
The conflict stems from a long-running disagreement over colonial-era boundary demarcations and has periodically flared into violence despite repeated diplomatic initiatives.
A peace agreement signed in late October appeared to have brought a respite, but the ceasefire has since collapsed, and international calls for restraint have so far made limited headway.
Thailand has reaffirmed its willingness to pursue diplomatic avenues once hostilities cease, while warning it will defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The sustained clashes highlight the deep challenges in stabilising the frontier and protecting civilians as both nations grapple with nationalist sentiments and strategic imperatives that continue to fuel the confrontation.
The latest bout of violence began after a brief skirmish early last week, quickly escalating into exchanges of artillery, rocket and air strikes that derailed a fragile ceasefire previously negotiated in October with international involvement.
Thailand and Cambodia have traded accusations over who ignited the new round of fighting, each side claiming the other fired first and targeted civilian areas.
At least one civilian in Thailand has been confirmed killed by rocket fire, while dozens of military and civilian casualties have been reported on both sides as the confrontation widened beyond land and into coastal zones and other frontline regions.
Authorities in both capitals have activated curfews and emergency measures in provinces along the 800-kilometre disputed frontier, and evacuation centres are overwhelmed as families seek shelter from the fighting.
Humanitarian conditions in these camps are precarious, with shortages of food, clean water and basic services reported as tens of thousands remain displaced.
The conflict stems from a long-running disagreement over colonial-era boundary demarcations and has periodically flared into violence despite repeated diplomatic initiatives.
A peace agreement signed in late October appeared to have brought a respite, but the ceasefire has since collapsed, and international calls for restraint have so far made limited headway.
Thailand has reaffirmed its willingness to pursue diplomatic avenues once hostilities cease, while warning it will defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The sustained clashes highlight the deep challenges in stabilising the frontier and protecting civilians as both nations grapple with nationalist sentiments and strategic imperatives that continue to fuel the confrontation.
