Thailand launches air strikes on Cambodia after new border clashes

(Patria) – Thailand carried out air strikes on military targets in several areas of Cambodia, after two Thai soldiers were killed and four wounded in a border clash on Sunday. Bangkok claims that Cambodian forces opened fire first on Thai troops securing road improvement works in Sisaket province.

Cambodia denies the accusations and claims that the Thai army initiated the attack using artillery and tanks, while their troops, as they state, avoided retaliation.

The sharp increase in tensions comes after more than 40 people were killed in July during the escalation of a long-standing border dispute. Although the two countries signed a ceasefire and a joint declaration of peace in October, the exchange of accusations in recent days again threatens to destabilize the region.

The Thai army announced that it destroyed a cable car which they claim Cambodia built to transport weapons near the border, not far from the Ta Khwai temple complex. "The army will protect the people and sovereignty with full force," stated the Royal Thai Army, with the hashtag #PeaceDoesNotExist.

Cambodia, which previously nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in mediating previous negotiations, insists that it remains committed to the peace agreement.