Thailand launches strikes on Cambodia

THAILAND launched air strikes yesterday on its neighbour Cambodia, with both sides trading blame for renewed fighting on their disputed border that has killed four Cambodian civilians and a Thai soldier.

- 

RESIDENTS evacuating following clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border in Preah Vihear province.

(AFP)

Around 35 000 people in Thailand have been evacuated from border areas, the country’s Second Army Region said in a statement.

Five days of combat between Thailand and Cambodia this summer killed 43 people and displaced around 300 000 on both sides of the border before a truce took effect.

But last month Thailand paused a follow-on deal backed by US President Donald Trump to wind down hostilities, saying a landmine blast at the border had wounded several soldiers.

Since then, Cambodian and Thai officials have reported sporadic skirmishes along their frontier, which reignited Sunday and Monday.

Cambodia's information minister Neth Pheaktra said that “at least four Cambodian civilians were killed in the Thai attacks” on Monday, including a woman who died when a shell hit in Preah Vihear province.

The three others were killed by shelling in Oddar Meanchey, and more than 10 civilians were wounded, Neth Pheaktra said.

A Cambodian journalist was wounded by shrapnel from a Thai rocket in Oddar Meanchey, he added.

The fresh fighting has sent thousands of civilians in both countries fleeing their homes.