Bangkok - Saba:
The Thai Ministry of Health announced on Friday that the death toll from clashes with Cambodia had risen to 15, while Cambodian authorities reported one death and five injuries in an exchange of gunfire on the border.
According to the Russia Today website, the border between Thailand and Cambodia witnessed a major escalation, unprecedented in years, over the past two days, with violent clashes erupting around disputed areas on the eastern border.
Authorities from both countries reported the deaths and injuries of several people, while 1,500 Cambodian families were evacuated from their homes.
Forces from both sides exchanged small arms, artillery, and rocket fire, while Thailand also launched airstrikes. This escalation is a dangerous development after years of protracted border disputes spanning more than 100 years, with Thailand and Cambodia simmering over ill-defined border points.
Recurring disputes over the lands of ancient temples of historical and religious significance have also flared, with each side using the temples as a pretext for military escalation.
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