Cambodia Reports Heavy Civilian Toll as Border Clashes with Thailand Continue
Cambodia has reported a rising civilian toll as renewed fighting along its border with Thailand stretches into its fifth day. According to the Cambodian Defense Ministry, at least ten civilians have been killed and sixty others injured as artillery exchanges continue to hit populated areas on the Cambodian side of the frontier.
Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, spokesperson and undersecretary of state at the Defense Ministry, confirmed the figures during a press briefing on Thursday. She said the fatalities include an infant, underscoring the severity of the latest escalation. The clashes began on Sunday afternoon and have not subsided, with intermittent shelling reported through Thursday morning.
Socheata said the Thai army has launched artillery fire at multiple locations inside Cambodian territory, causing widespread damage to homes and forcing residents to flee. While both sides have previously accused each other of triggering flare ups along the border, the current round of fighting is one of the most intense in recent years and has renewed fears of a broader conflict.
The humanitarian impact is growing rapidly. Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday evening that more than fifty six thousand families, totaling around one hundred ninety thousand civilians, have evacuated their homes. Many are now sheltering in makeshift camps or staying with relatives in safer inland areas. Local authorities and aid groups are struggling to provide enough food, water and medical support as the number of displaced people increases.
Officials warn that the situation could worsen if the bombardment persists. Emergency responders have reported difficulty accessing some affected villages due to ongoing shelling, limiting their ability to evacuate the wounded or deliver supplies. Schools and public facilities near the border have been converted into temporary shelters, and hospitals are preparing for potential surges in casualties.
Tensions along the Cambodia Thailand border have flared periodically for decades, often linked to long standing disputes over territory. Previous clashes have been followed by negotiations and ceasefires, but analysts say mistrust between the two sides continues to fuel instability. There has been no formal statement from Thailand regarding the reported artillery fire, and Cambodia has called for international attention to the growing civilian suffering.
The Cambodian government says its priority is protecting civilians and de escalating the situation, though it maintains that its forces will respond if necessary to defend national territory. Regional observers worry that without urgent diplomatic engagement, the conflict could expand or trigger a larger security crisis in Southeast Asia.
For now, thousands of Cambodian families remain displaced, unsure of when it will be safe to return home as artillery exchanges continue to echo across the border region.
