Thai authorities said at least 12 people have been killed since a border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia on Thursday morning.
The two countries accused them of first shootings of a serious escalation of their long-term border conflict.
The Thai Army first reported nine civilian deaths, saying six citizens died in Sisakhet, two in Surin and one in Ubon Ratchathani. At least 17 people were injured, Thai authorities said.
Cambodia has yet to release numbers for its victims, but claimed that the Thai Jets had dropped a bomb on a road near the ancient Purihaa temple.
The battle began on Thursday morning near the ancient Muen Thom temple next to the border between Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s odd response ministry.
It comes after months of tensions escalated among neighbours after Cambodian soldiers died in a border skirmish in May.
The Thai Army said six armed Cambodian soldiers fired near one of the military bureau on Thursday, but Cambodia accused Thailand of causing the latest clash.
In a statement released Thursday, Cambodia’s foreign ministry said it would “condemn this reckless and hostile act by Thailand on the strongest possible conditions,” urging its neighbors to stop hostility.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a similar message, encouraging Cambodia to end the fires.
“The Royal Thai government is urging that it will be held responsible for incidents that occur in Cambodia, halt attacks on civilians and military targets and halt any actions that violate Thailand’s sovereignty.”
rhm/