Thailand and Cambodia exchange fire in deadly border clashes, with at least 12 people killed

Cross-border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated, resulting in at least 12 deaths and dozens of injuries. The skirmish, which took place along the 800-kilometre shared border, has reignited long-standing territorial disputes between the two Southeast Asian nations. Both countries accuse the other of initiating the conflict, with Cambodia claiming self-defence against an 'unprovoked assault' and Thailand asserting it retaliated to Cambodian attacks. The violence has prompted evacuations in border regions, closure of crossings, and deployment of Thai troops, pushing bilateral relations to their lowest point in decades.
The conflict occurs amidst political turmoil in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended by the Constitutional Court over her handling of the border dispute. As tensions mount, both nations have expelled each other's ambassadors, whilst neighbouring powers attempt to keep diplomatic channels open for potential de-escalation. The situation has revived memories of previous border clashes in 2008 and 2011, which resulted in numerous casualties and displacements.

Al Jazeera's Michael Appel reports.

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