Deadly clashes displace thousands along Thai-Cambodia border

ISTANBUL

Thousands of people were displaced and forced to flee along the Thai-Cambodian border after deadly clashes erupted between the two neighboring countries, local media reported on Tuesday.

Thai authorities also closed nearly 1,000 schools in border areas across six provinces, with some converted into emergency shelter centers for the displaced, according to the local news outlet Thai Enquirer.

Since Monday, the renewed border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbors have resulted in at least 10 deaths -- seven civilians in Cambodia and three soldiers in Thailand. Bangkok also reported injuries to 29 Thai soldiers, while 20 civilians were injured in Cambodia.

Thai Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat said each center is fully equipped with bedding, food, drinking water, electricity, sanitation facilities, and designated areas for young children.

On the Cambodian side, local authorities established safe centers in the Preah Vihear province and relocated more than 1,500 families after clashes intensified.

A video posted by daily Khmer Times on the US social media company X showed a family of two women and three children taking shelter in a drainage ditch.

The latest round of clashes began on Monday morning amid airstrikes by Thai F-16 jets after Bangkok accused Phnom Penh of a "border attack" which left one soldier dead.

Thai air raids continued on Tuesday as the Royal Thai Army accused Cambodian forces of firing artillery shells into civilian homes in the Ban Khok Thahan area on Monday night, damaging two houses.

"Thai forces have conducted targeted operations across multiple provinces, including F‑16 airstrikes on a BM-21 rocket depot in Samraong, Oddar Meanchey, tank fire on a Cambodian casino compound used as a weapons base in Ta Phraya, Sa Kaeo, and strikes on supply points, fortified positions, and anti-drone equipment in Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani," Thai Enquirer reported.

However, Phnom Penh accused Thai forces of “aggressive military operations by Thai forces on Cambodian territory."

The two Southeast Asian neighbors have seen ties deteriorate since July over a border dispute, which resulted in deadly clashes but ended in a ceasefire and a peace deal signed in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26 in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Trump on Monday urged both countries to fully honor their ceasefire commitments to bring the conflict to an end.

Anwar also urged the two sides to exercise restraint.