Thai-Cambodia Clashes Kill 16 Displace 120,000 Across 12 Border Areas

Clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops along their disputed border have escalated into the bloodiest military confrontation in over a decade, resulting in at least 16 deaths, including 14 Thai civilians, one Thai soldier, and one Cambodian civilian. Fighting has expanded to multiple locations with heavy artillery, rocket fire, and airstrikes, including Thailand's deployment of F-16 fighter jets against Cambodian forces. The violence has forced more than 120,000 people to flee their homes on both sides, with large-scale evacuations reported in Thai provinces such as Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, and Ubon Ratchathani, and Cambodia’s Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces. Both countries blame each other for initiating the conflict, which erupted after a mine explosion wounded Thai soldiers and led Thailand to recall its ambassador and expel Cambodia's envoy. The fighting has also caused damage to cultural heritage sites, including Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tense situation has prompted the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting to address the crisis amid fears of further escalation toward war.