Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday as their worst fighting in over a decade intensified and spread to new areas, despite international calls for a ceasefire.

At least 16 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced in the escalating border battle.

Both sides have blamed each other for starting the conflict and on Friday ratcheted up the rhetoric, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of deliberately targeting civilians and Cambodia alleging Thailand was using cluster munitions, a controversial and widely condemned ordnance.

    • TaTTe@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      1 day ago

      As far as I understand, it’s still a bit unclear.

      Thailand claims Cambodian troops were approaching a Thai border guard station and started firing towards the Thai soldiers, leading to the Thai soldiers firing back.

      Cambodia claims the patrol was walking the regular route, and Thai soldiers suddenly opened fire towards them.

      Obviously one (or both) is lying, and the situation escalated quickly.

      • pageflight@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        1 day ago

        AP News includes this overview:

        The contesting claims stem largely from a 1907 map drawn under French colonial rule that was used to separate Cambodia from Thailand. Cambodia has been using the map as a reference to claim territory, while Thailand has argued the map is inaccurate.