Tensions flare again on Thailand-Cambodia border, Trump’s peace deal in doubt

Fights have broken out again on the Thailand-Cambodia border. The Thai army has accused Cambodian troops of shooting at its soldiers, killing at least one. Thailand has retaliated with air strikes in Cambodia, Al Jazeera reported. The Thai army carried out air strikes on targets inside Cambodia on Monday (December 8), putting the peace deal brokered by US President Donald Trump at risk.
In a statement, Thai military spokesman Major General Winthai Suvari said that the Thai army had deployed aircraft after fierce clashes in the Chong Bak area of ​​Nam Yen district in Ubon Ratchathani province. The country’s army is also working quickly to evacuate civilians from the border area. The Thai army claimed that Cambodian forces began shelling the border at around 3 am today. The Cambodian army, on the other hand, said that Thai forces attacked them at 5:04 a.m. local time. They alleged, “Thai forces have been engaging in various provocative behaviors for many days.”
In July, the two countries clashed for five days on the border. Dozens of people were killed on both sides and at least 200,000 people were evacuated. After that, after Trump spoke with officials from both countries, the two countries agreed to a ceasefire. Then, in the presence of Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia was extended in Kuala Lumpur last October. Trump called that moment his major diplomatic success. However, the two countries are still embroiled in a new conflict.