As a result of the escalation of the conflict with Thailand, more than 11 thousand residents of the Oddar Meanchey province in Cambodia have been forced to leave their homes. This was reported by the news portal Fresh News, citing information from local authorities.
According to the publication, 3,503 families, totaling 11,138 people, left the border areas and moved to safe centers after Thai military began attacks on Cambodian territory.
It was previously reported that due to shelling of residential areas in several provinces of Cambodia, more than 1,150 families had been evacuated.
On the eve of the escalation of hostilities in the border regions, both sides exchanged accusations of violating the ceasefire, and Thailand conducted airstrikes over the weekend.
Thai Defense Minister Nattaphon Nakhonpanit ordered on November 19 to bring troops at the border with Cambodia to full combat readiness amid the initiation of temporary demarcation of the border in disputed areas, resulting in 200 Cambodian families living on Thai territory having to leave.
On December 7, the Thai army urged residents of four border provinces to evacuate due to the threat of further escalation of the conflict. According to the Thai news portal Khaosod, Cambodian soldiers opened fire on Thai security forces, leading to a clash in which two Thai servicemen were injured. However, the Cambodian publication Khmer Times refuted this information, claiming that the fire was opened by Thai troops.
On December 8, Khaosod reported that Cambodia attacked the Anupong military base, resulting in the death of one Thai serviceman and injuries to two others. In response, Thailand scrambled F-16 fighters to carry out retaliatory strikes. There were also reports of clashes along the border between the two countries.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated the readiness to take necessary measures to protect the security and sovereignty of the country. Meanwhile, the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense appealed to the international community to condemn the "violation of the peace agreement" by Thailand—the Declaration on Relations signed by Cambodia and Thailand in October in Kuala Lumpur with the participation of leaders from the USA and Malaysia.
