Death Toll Falls, Hun Sen Promises Cambodia To Hit Thai Military

JAKARTA - Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen promised his country a fierce attack on Thailand amid another fierce battle that broke out on the second day between the two neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.

Fighting broke out following a small clash that killed a Thai soldier on Sunday evening, although the ceasefire had ended five days of fighting in July over competing territorial claims along their borders.

This ceasefire resulted in dozens of civilians and the military being killed on both sides, as well as the evacuation of more than 100,000 civilians.

In a statement posted on Facebook and Telegram, Hun Sen claimed his country had refrained from returning fire on Monday, but in the evening began firing back at Thai troops.

He wrote the strategy of concentrating on Thailand's moving forward position would allow Cambodia to "weaken and destroy enemy forces through counter-attacks."

The Thai military said Cambodian troops fired artillery into villages in Sa Kaeo province on Tuesday morning, although the attack did not cause any casualties.

Thailand said Cambodian troops also opened fire on Sundays and Mondays, as each side blamed each other for the first shot.

Cambodia wants peace, but Cambodia is forced to fight back to defend its territory, Hun Sen said. Hun Sen was Cambodian prime minister who served for a long time until 2023, when he was replaced by his son, Hun Manet, but was still widely seen as the country's de facto leader.

Cambodian military announced on Tuesday, December 9, the new fighting killed seven civilians and injured 20 people.

A Thai military spokesman announced a soldier was killed and 29 people injured in the new fighting.

Speaking at a press conference, Young Admiral Thailand Surasant Kongsiri said the navy was strengthening its position in eastern Thailand near the border with Cambodia.

Thailand on Monday carried out airstrikes along the border, which it said was a defensive measure targeting military installations.

Surasant said such operations would continue until attacks stopped.

A separate statement from Thailand's 2nd Army Region, located along the border, said nearly 500 temporary shelters had been established in four border provinces, housing 125,838 people.

Additional refugees from the fighting are expected to stay with their relatives in a safe area.

Cambodia reportedly attacked Thailand's positions with rocket attacks and drones.