UPDATE - 7 Cambodian civilians, 4 Thai soldiers killed in border clashes

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By Riyaz ul Khaliq and Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - At least seven Cambodian civilians and four soldiers of Thailand were killed amid border clashes between two Southeast Asian neighbors, according to reports.

The latest round of clashes began early Monday, which left at least seven civilians dead in Cambodia amid airstrikes by Thai F-16 jets.

The Thai army confirmed that four soldiers have been killed and 29 wounded in fighting with Cambodian forces since Dec. 7, Thai PBS reported.

The air raids continued Tuesday as the Royal Thai Army accused Cambodia of firing artillery shells into civilian homes in the Ban Khok Thahan area late Monday, damaging two houses.

But Phnom Penh accused Thai forces of “aggressive military operations by Thai forces on Cambodian territory.”

The Thai Air Force and The Royal Thai Navy also confirmed that they are conducting military operations, according to the Thai Enquirer.

Separately, Thai opposition People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s “refusal to pursue peace negotiations with Cambodia is a dangerous stance (which) could undermine Thailand’s international standing and allow Cambodia to portray Thailand as the aggressor amid escalating border clashes,” according to the Thai Enquirer.

The latest fighting began after Bangkok accused Cambodia of a border attack, which left one Thai soldier dead Sunday and the Thai Air Force bombed across the border early Monday.

Cambodia denied Thai claims that it was amassing heavy weapons along the border and instead blamed Bangkok for the escalation.

The two Southeast Asian neighbors have seen ties deteriorate since July over a border dispute, which resulted in deadly clashes, but ended in a ceasefire and a peace deal signed in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26 in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

During the five-day conflict in July, at least 48 people were killed on both sides and hundreds of thousands were displaced before the signing of the peace agreement. At least 18 Cambodian soldiers are still in Thai custody since the July clashes.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged an immediate end to fighting, saying that both sides “should immediately cease hostilities.”

His remarks came after Trump urged both countries on Monday to fully honor their ceasefire commitments to bring the conflict to an end.

Anwar also urged the two sides to exercise restraint.