Breaking News: Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict Intensifies on Third Day, Casualties Mount

Описание: SISAKET, THAILAND – July 26, 2025** – The simmering border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia erupted into its third day of intense fighting on Saturday, July 26, 2025, with heavy shelling, rocket fire, and aerial bombardments continuing along the undemarcated 800-kilometer frontier. Fears of a full-blown war are escalating amidst a rising death toll and surging displacement figures.

*Rising Casualties and Mass Displacements*
The human cost of the conflict continued to climb today. At least 33 people have been killed, and over 168,000 forced to flee their homes. Cambodian authorities reported 12 new deaths on Saturday, bringing their total to 13 killed (7 civilians, 5 soldiers), while Thai officials stated a soldier was killed, raising their death toll to 20, mostly civilians. Overall, at least 19 Thai civilians have been killed, including an 8-year-old boy, and 62 injured. Cambodian civilian casualties stand at 8 killed and 50 injured.

*Military Operations Intensify, New Fronts Emerge*
Fighting on July 26 was not confined to previous flashpoints, with new clashes reported in Thailand's coastal province of Trat and Cambodia's Pursat Province, more than 100 kilometers (60 miles) from other conflict areas.

The Royal Thai Armed Forces launched "Operation Yuttha Bodin" (Yuttha Bodin Operation), vowing "the ultimate protection of the land". As part of this, Thai F-16 and Gripen fighter jets conducted airstrikes against Cambodian military targets in the Phu Ma Kua area and near Ta Muen Thom Temple, where Cambodian forces had positioned indirect fire weapons. This marks the first combat deployment of Thailand's Gripen aircraft. Thailand reported successfully neutralizing these targets and reclaiming Phu Ma Kua.

The Thai military asserts that their operations target military objectives exclusively, not civilians. Thailand also clarified that while Cambodia accuses them of using cluster munitions, Thailand is not a signatory to the international treaty banning them and reserves the right to use them for military targets when necessary, adhering to principles of proportionality.

Cambodia, on its part, continued to use heavy weapons, including BM-21 "Hailstorm" rockets, which have a range of up to 130 kilometers. Reports indicated these rockets had landed in civilian areas of Buriram province, with 28 rounds reported, damaging houses and rubber plantations, though no civilian fatalities were confirmed in those specific incidents as of late Saturday. Cambodia's Civil Aviation Authority announced the closure of its airspace over the conflict zones, redirecting commercial flights due to the high-altitude use of heavy weaponry, citing potential danger to commercial aircraft.

A Cambodian Major General, Duong Somneang, was reported killed on July 26. In Thailand, six soldiers were confirmed killed on July 24-25, with the Army expressing profound sorrow.

*International Pressure and Diplomatic Standoff*
The international community intensified calls for de-escalation. The UN Security Council held a private emergency meeting on Friday, July 25, attended by representatives from both Thailand and Cambodia, urging "utmost restraint" and a peaceful resolution. However, as of Saturday, the UNSC had not passed any resolutions explicitly demanding restraint from both nations.

US President Donald Trump directly intervened on Saturday, speaking with both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Trump stated that both leaders had agreed to "immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!", warning that he would not enter trade deals if the conflict persisted.

Malaysia, as the current chair of ASEAN, continued to push for a ceasefire and offered to mediate. China also expressed "grave concern" and offered to play a "constructive role" in resolving the dispute.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet has accused Thailand of "unprovoked" attacks. A leaked statement from a Cambodian soldier, reported by Thai media, suggested Cambodia "opened fire first" on July 24.

*Wider Implications and Public Response*
Economically, analysts warn that Cambodia is more vulnerable to prolonged instability than Thailand, given its smaller economy and greater reliance on tourism and border gambling, which has been severely disrupted by border closures. The closure of borders has also affected the movement of cross-border labor, with thousands of Cambodian workers returning home from Thailand. Concerns have also been raised about rising anti-Cambodian sentiment in Thailand and the safety of Cambodian migrant workers.