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Thai Airstrikes Into Cambodia Escalate Border Fighting and Force Mass Evacuations

A US- and Malaysia-brokered October truce is under severe strain, with both governments disputing who fired first.

Overview

  • Cambodia says Thai F-16s dropped two bombs on villages in Oddar Meanchey during fresh cross-border sorties, while Thailand has previously confirmed F-16 strikes on what it called military targets after Thai troops were hit.
  • Authorities report rising casualties since Monday: Thailand counts three soldiers killed and 29 injured, and Cambodia reports nine civilian deaths and 20 wounded, figures that have not been independently verified.
  • Displacement has surged, with Thai officials citing more than 400,000 people moved to shelters across seven provinces and Cambodia reporting 100,000 evacuees.
  • Fighting has spread along the frontier — including reports of Thai naval operations near Trat — as Thailand accuses Cambodia of shelling civilian areas and Cambodia accuses Thailand of firing on temples and positions near Preah Vihear.
  • Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged restraint and US President Donald Trump said he will re-engage as mediator, while Thai leaders vow to defend sovereignty and a top general was quoted saying the goal is to weaken Cambodia’s military.