ADDS NEW CASUALTIES, CHANGES HEADLINE AND LEDE
By Anadolu staff
ANKARA (AA) - At least nine people were killed after Thai and Cambodian troops clashed on Thursday in a disputed area of their border, with both sides accusing each other of initiating the latest clash, officials and local media reported.
The Royal Thai Army confirmed in a statement that the death toll of Thais from cross-border attacks rose to nine, including a child, after artillery shells fired from Cambodia struck several places. At least 14 people were also injured.
Cambodia has not released any information on casualties so far.
In the wake of the attacks, there was displacement on both sides of the border.
Thailand's Education Ministry closed schools near the border in Surin’s Phanom Dong Rak district. Cambodia also evacuated students and teachers from impacted areas.
Thailand's military deployed an F-16 fighter jet against Cambodia's armed forces as weeks of tension over a border dispute escalated into clashes.
One of the six F-16 fighter jets that Thailand readied to deploy along the disputed border fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target.
"We have used air power against military targets as planned," Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters.
The army later confirmed all F-16s returned home safely.
Cambodia, on the other hand, said its forces have shot down a F-16, according to the Khmer Times.
Cambodian armed forces also launched a "counteroffensive" against Thai troops early Thursday, the newspaper reported, citing the Defense Ministry.
“Cambodia has always stood by its principle of resolving disputes through peaceful means,” Prime Minister Hun Manet said. “But in this situation, we have no choice but to respond with military force against the armed aggression.”
The premier called on the UN Security Council to address "premeditated military aggression" by Thailand.
Separately, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian expressed "deep concern" over the conflict and urged dialogue and consultation to solve the border dispute.
Lin reiterated China's "just and impartial stance" and said Beijing will continue to "promote talks for peace" and "play a constructive role" in de-escalation between Thailand and Cambodia.
Meanwhile, Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, which chairs the Southeast Asian bloc, urged dialogue, saying "peace is the only option."
The latest clash occurred a day after a Thai soldier lost his leg in a landmine explosion.
Thailand’s military accused Cambodian troops of firing at a Thai army base in an area near the ancient Ta Muen Thom Temple – which lies in disputed territory in the south of Thailand’s Surin province.
The Cambodian Defense Ministry, however, said its troops had acted in self-defense after an unprovoked incursion from Thai soldiers.
- Cambodia downgrades diplomatic ties
Cambodia on Thursday said it is downgrading diplomatic ties with Thailand to the lowest level and recalled all of its diplomatic staff from Bangkok, Khmer Times reported, citing the country's Foreign Ministry.
All Cambodian diplomatic staff stationed at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok have been ordered to return home.
It comes a day after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy from Phnom Penh over the landmine explosion incident.
Tensions between the two countries have been rising since May 28, when troops exchanged fire near the border, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.