According to information provided by the Anadolu Agency, the death toll from border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand has risen to 39, including 18 civilians from Cambodia and 21 military personnel from Thailand.
As reported by the Cambodian newspaper Khmer Times, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia has issued a statement regarding the humanitarian consequences of the conflict between the two countries.
The document emphasizes that since the resumption of the conflict, the number of civilian casualties has reached 18, and 78 people have been injured. According to the ministry, more than 450,000 Cambodian citizens, including about 240,000 women and 130,000 children, have been forced to leave their homes in border areas.
The newspaper Nation Thailand, citing the command of the Thai army, reports that as a result of recent clashes, four more Thai soldiers have died, bringing the total number of military casualties to 21.
Thai media also note that on the evening of December 17 at 22:00 local time, relative calm settled over some sections of the border. However, by the morning of the next day, the Thai armed forces reportedly conducted airstrikes on several areas of Cambodia where settlements are located.
The history of the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has been ongoing for decades, dating back to the period of French colonial rule in Cambodia nearly a century ago.
The first serious escalation of the conflict occurred in 2008 when Cambodia attempted to list an 11th-century temple located in the disputed area as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Despite a ceasefire declared in October after a series of clashes, hostilities resumed on December 7, with both sides accusing each other of escalating violence.
As a result of the recent conflicts, hundreds of thousands of residents from both countries have been evacuated, and the total number of casualties has reached 39.
On December 12, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that during his talks with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, the parties agreed to a ceasefire.
However, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that Bangkok would continue military actions until there is confidence in the safety of its territory and population.
