Bangkok, July 24(HS): Thailand conducted airstrikes early today on two Cambodian military bases, confirmed by Colonel Richa Suksuwanon, deputy spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army. The airstrikes involved six F-16 fighter jets launched from Ubon Ratchathani province. This military action followed Cambodian forces firing rockets at a Thai base in Surin province. In response, Thailand's Ministry of the Interior is evacuating border areas in four provinces for safety.

At 7:35 AM, a Cambodian drone was spotted near the Ta Muen Thom temple ruins in Surin, leading to six armed Cambodian soldiers approaching the barbed wire fence near a Thai military base. These rangers urged their counterparts to deescalate tensions, but when ignored, hostilities ensued. Shooting commenced at approximately 8:20 AM at the Moo Pa military base. The Thai military accused Cambodian forces of positioning artillery to use civilians as shields.

Details of the conflict escalated as artillery was fired around 8:50 AM, targeting the temple ruins. Approximately at 9:15 AM, gunfire was exchanged, injuring a Thai soldier. Cambodian forces launched further attacks around 9:40 AM at the Don Tuan temple and at 9:55 AM on a residential area in Surin, resulting in injuries to at least three civilians. This escalation followed an earlier incident where five Thai soldiers were injured due to a landmine explosion attributed to recent Cambodian placements.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed a desire for peaceful resolution but indicated that any attack would lead to a response. The situation is further complicated by recent diplomatic tensions, with Thailand expelling the Cambodian ambassador and calling for UN intervention. The long-standing border disputes continue, with Cambodia seeking help from the International Court of Justice, which Thailand does not recognize.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar