What to know about the clash between Thailand, Cambodia

The fighting between Thailand’s and Cambodia’s militaries has continued for a second day in a row, with the clash progressively escalating in a border battle that has killed at least 16 people and displaced thousands of individuals.

The two militaries have fired rockets and artillery, while Thailand has struck a Cambodian military target with an F-16 fighter plane. 

Both countries are blaming the other side for kickstarting the clash, which began on Thursday, with Cambodia accusing Thailand of using cluster munitions, highly controversial weapons that have multiple bomblets that explode over a large area. The weapon is banned by over 100 countries. Thailand has accused Cambodia of intentionally targeting civilians. 

“The current situation involves acts of intrusion and aggression that are causing harm to the people’s lives,” Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters on Friday. “The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war. At present, it’s a confrontation involving heavy weapons.” 

On Thursday, at least four civilians were injured and more than 4,000 people were displaced in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, according to Gen. Khov Ly, the head official there. 

The clash has grown in size, with the border conflict expanding from six to 12 locations. Both militaries have steadily ramped up their use of heavy weaponry. 

The conflict has exploded along the long-disputed border, which was charted mostly by France. The two Southeast Asian countries have clashed multiple times over portions of the border since it was drawn out in 1907, during French colonial rule. 

Thailand’s decision to recall its ambassador and boot Cambodia’s envoy helped set off the clash. The diplomatic shunning came after another Thai soldier got blown up by a landmine, losing a limb. Thai officials blamed Phnom Penh, an assertion that was rejected by Cambodia. 

In total, over 130,000 people were evacuated near the combat zone in Thailand. The number of casualties has gone up to 15, including 14 civilians, according to Thailand’s health ministry. At least 46 people were injured, including 15 Thai soldiers. 

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “following with concern” the reports of the clash, according to his spokesperson Farhan Haq. 

“The Secretary-General urges both sides to exercise maximum restraint and address any issues through dialogue and in a spirit of good neighbourliness, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the dispute,” the spokesperson said.

The U.S. government on Thursday called for the fighting to end on Thursday. 

“The United States is gravely concerned by reports of the escalating fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border. We are particularly alarmed by reports of harm to innocent civilians.  We express our deepest condolences on the loss of life,” the State Department said in a statement. “We strongly urge the immediate cessation of attacks, protection of civilians, and peaceful settlement of disputes.”