Key points
- A dozen people reported killed in clashes
- Over 100,000 civilians evacuated amid clashes: CNN
- Both sides battled with tanks, artillery and ground forces over a disputed border zone
ISLAMABAD: Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire along their disputed border for a second day on Friday, officials from both countries claimed.
More than a dozen people reported killed and over 100,000 civilians evacuated, according to CNN.
The clashes were taking place in two locations in Ubon Ratchathani province and one in Surin province, the Thai Army claimed, warning the public to avoid the area.
AFP reported that Thailand and Cambodia fought their bloodiest military clashes in more than a decade on Thursday as the two sides battled with tanks, artillery and ground forces over a disputed border zone.
A long-running spat
The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running spat between the neighbours — both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists — over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet.
In Thursday’s clashes, Cambodia fired rockets and artillery shells into Thailand and the Thai military scrambled F-16 jets to carry out air strikes.
The Thai public health ministry said one soldier and at least 11 civilians were killed, most of them in a rocket strike near a petrol station in Sisaket province.
CNN cited Met Measpheakdey, a spokesperson from Oddar Meanchey province as saying in Cambodia, at least one person has been killed and five wounded.
Footage from the scene showed smoke pouring from a convenience store attached to the petrol station. Provincial officials said most of the dead were students who were inside the shop when the attack happened, AFP reported.
