Thailand launches air strikes on Cambodia after soldier killed
Thailand says the F-16 strikes were ‘executed with caution’ against military targets to neutralise a threat to national security
Each side accused the other of shattering the peace by mounting attacks on border bases and personnel over the weekend, in the fiercest eruption of hostilities for months between the Southeast Asian neighbours.
The violence has forced thousands of civilians on both sides to flee their homes.
The Royal Thai Air Force said it had deployed F-16 fighter jets early on Monday “in response to Cambodian military actions” – including moving heavy weapons and combat units towards the disputed frontier – that it said posed “a direct threat to Thailand’s national security”.
“All missions were executed with caution, targeting only military infrastructure, weapons depots, command centres and logistical routes,” it added in a statement.
Thailand’s foreign ministry declared that military action would continue until the nation’s territorial integrity was secured, with spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura asserting that Cambodia had “trampled” on the ceasefire agreement. The army confirmed its objective was to cripple Cambodia’s military capability long term, according to chief of staff General Chaiyapruek Duangprapat.