Fatal Thailand-Cambodia clashes spread along contested border area

"Thailand said it was taking action to expel Cambodian forces from its territory on Tuesday, as renewed fighting between the two South-east Asian neighbours spread along the disputed border. Each side has blamed the other for the clashes, which have derailed a fragile ceasefire brokered by US president Donald Trump that ended five days of fighting in July. Cambodia's defence ministry said two civilians had been killed overnight, taking its death toll to six. One Thai soldier has died in the fighting."

"In a statement on Tuesday morning, the Thai Navy said Cambodian forces had been detected inside Thai territory in the coastal province of Trat and that military operations were launched to expel them, without providing further details. Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet said late on Monday that Thailand must not use military force to attack civilian villages under the pretext of reclaiming its sovereignty. Earlier, Cambodia said it had not retaliated even after its forces came under sustained attack."

Renewed fighting along the Thailand–Cambodia border prompted Thai military operations aimed at expelling Cambodian forces detected inside Thai territory in Trat province. Cambodian officials reported civilian deaths, raising their toll to six, while one Thai soldier was killed and multiple soldiers and civilians were wounded. Thailand accused Cambodian forces of deploying snipers, heavy weapons and fortified positions, describing the moves as a serious sovereignty threat. Cambodia warned against using force to attack civilian villages and said it had not retaliated despite sustained attacks. Longstanding territorial disputes along an 817km undemarcated border have produced repeated violent flare-ups and mass evacuations.

Read at www.theguardian.com