Thailand has evacuated more than 100,000 people along the border with Cambodia since the conflict between the two countries flared up on Thursday. Shelling was also reported back and forth on Friday.
Tensions over a disputed border area had been rising for some time and escalated into armed conflict on Thursday morning. Both countries blame each other for the flare-up of the conflict. The border area is disputed because of how France, which was the colonial power in Cambodia until 1953, drew the border there.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, at least fifteen people have died in Thailand in the violence, including one soldier. Another 46 people were injured.
Fighting also took place between Thai and Cambodian troops on Friday morning. “Cambodian troops carried out bombardments with heavy weapons, field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems,” the Thai army said in a statement. Thai troops responded with “supporting fire”.
Local authorities in Cambodia report that 1,500 families in the border area have been evacuated. On the Cambodian side, one civilian has died and five people have been injured.