Renewed clashes erupted along the Thailand–Cambodia border as fighting entered its second week on Sunday, despite claims by US President Donald Trump that a ceasefire had been agreed to halt the violence.
Thailand’s military said it had launched a new offensive aimed at “reclaiming sovereign territory,” while Cambodian authorities announced the closure of all border crossings with Thailand, escalating tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.
The conflict stems from a long-running dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their shared 800-kilometre (500-mile) border. The latest round of fighting has killed at least 25 soldiers and civilians and displaced more than half a million people on both sides, according to official estimates.
On Friday, Trump said the two countries had agreed to stop the fighting following his backing of a truce and a follow-on agreement. However, Thai leaders later denied that any ceasefire deal had been reached, and both governments confirmed that clashes continued into Sunday.
Thai Defence Ministry spokesman Surasant Kongsiri said Cambodian forces shelled and bombed several Thai border provinces overnight and into Sunday morning. “Cambodian artillery and air attacks targeted multiple areas along the border,” he said.
Cambodia rejected the accusation. Defence Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said Thai forces had continued firing mortars and dropping bombs into Cambodian border areas since midnight. She accused Thailand of escalating hostilities and targeting civilian areas.
Both sides have blamed each other for instigating the clashes, insisting their actions are in self-defense and trading accusations of attacks on civilians.
With fighting ongoing and diplomatic efforts faltering, concerns are growing over the humanitarian impact of the conflict, as tens of thousands of displaced civilians seek shelter and access to food, water, and medical care along the volatile border.