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Key Points
- Thai and Cambodian troops have clashed near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple in Cambodia.
- A Thai F-16 fighter jet has since bombed targets in Cambodia, with the latter condemning its “military aggression”.
- At least two Thai civilians were killed in Cambodian shelling, a Thai official said.
The skirmishes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia’s envoy in Bangkok, after a second Thai soldier in the space of a week lost a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently in the disputed area.
The clashes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia’s envoy in Bangkok. Source: AAP / EPA/Kith Serey
Thai residents in the Surin border province fled to shelters built of concrete and fortified with sandbags and car tires as the two countries exchanged fire.
Tensions were reignited in May following the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief exchange of gunfire, which escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis and now has triggered armed clashes.
Clashes took place near disputed temple
Thailand’s military said Cambodia deployed a surveillance drone before sending troops with heavy weapons to an area near the temple.
A Cambodian BM-21 multiple rocket launcher returns from the Cambodia-Thai border. Source: AFP / STR
Cambodian troops opened fire, and two Thai soldiers were wounded, a Thai army spokesperson said, adding Cambodia had used multiple weapons, including rocket launchers.
