Four civilians among five killed as Thailand-Cambodia clashes reignite

Both countries trade blame for fresh fighting; tens of thousands evacuated from border areas

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THAILAND launched air strikes on Monday 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.

Another brief episode of fighting took place along the border Sunday, after which both sides said the other fired first. The Thai army said Cambodian fire injured two Thai soldiers, and Thai troops retaliated, resulting in an exchange of fire that lasted around 20 minutes. Cambodia said that the Thai side fired first and that its own troops did not retaliate.

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