Thailand Cambodia Airstrikes

The Thai Defense Forces have launched airstrikes in Cambodia over a border dispute. The strikes were carried out early Monday (December 8) local time. “The operation was carried out targeting the country’s army’s arsenal in the Chong En Ma Pas area of ​​Cambodia,” said a statement signed by the Thai military’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief, Major General Winthai Suvari. “These arsenals are mainly used by Cambodian forces to store artillery and mortars and are used against the Thai army and civilians.”
In the statement, Major General Winthai Suvari added, “One of our soldiers was killed and two others were injured in an attack by Cambodian troops yesterday, Sunday. The Thai army conducted this operation in response.” Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the Cambodian army’s ISPR said that the Thai air force attacked Cambodian army installations and forces at 5:04 a.m. local time today.
The army said in a statement, “It is particularly noteworthy that the Thai army has been carrying out various provocative activities in the border area for the past few days. The Cambodian army believes that today’s airstrike is also part of this.” No information on Cambodian losses in the airstrike is yet known. The previous day, yesterday afternoon local time, the Cambodian army opened fire on the border in Si Sa Ket province. Two Thai soldiers were injured in this. Following this incident, the Thai army also retaliated.
Immediately after the fighting stopped, the Thai army and border guards evacuated thousands of people from four Thai provinces bordering Cambodia: Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani. According to US media outlet CNN, 70 percent of Cambodia’s border villages and towns have been evacuated.
Source: Al Jazeera