Thailand-Cambodia border clashes: Acting Thai PM says fighting 'could develop into war'

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed deep concern over current developments between Thailand and Cambodia on Thursday, urging both parties to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation after fresh clashes broke out along their border.

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Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire on their border Thursday in a sharp escalation of their conflict that killed at least 11 civilians, according to the Al Jazeera update. Both nations accused each other of starting the military clashes and have downgraded their diplomatic relations since Wednesday, according to media reports.

Thailand is closing all border crossings with Cambodia, a spokesperson of Thailand's Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation told a press briefing on Thursday, the Xinhua News Agency said.

The two countries' foreign ministries issued statements condemning the situation "in the strongest terms," while calling on each other to cease the hostile acts.

Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement condemning Thailand's aggression. Since the early morning of Thursday, Thai armed forces launched "unprovoked, premeditated and deliberate attacks" on Cambodian positions along the border areas, including Tamone Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple and Mom Bei, in the provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey, it said.