Thailand strikes Cambodia as Trump-brokered peace verges on collapse; thousands flee border areas

At least five people were killed and thousands fled border areas as deadly clashes erupted between Thailand and Cambodia on Monday, breaching the ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump in July this year.

Both Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other of violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The two countries had fought a brief but deadly five-day war in July early this year. The conflict ended after both sides signed the ceasefire agreement brokered by Trump.

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Thailand’s military launched airstrikes on several military targets in Cambodia in response to an alleged Cambodian attack earlier in the day. A Thai soldier was killed and seven others were injured in the attack for which Thailand squarely blamed Cambodia.

Royal Thailand Army said the attack was a retaliation to Cambodian assault on its base in Anupong using artilleries and mortar launchers.

“The target was at Cambodia’s arms supporting positions in the area of Chong An Ma Pass,” Thai army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that his country would never allow the violation of its sovereignty, while Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen accused Thai “invaders” of provocation.

Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence also rejected Thailand’s accusation, saying the country did not intiate the attack.

“The statement published by the official page of the Royal Thai Army, as well as by several Thai media outlets, alleged that Cambodia initiated the attack using heavy and destructive weapons and equipment along the Cambodia-Thailand border, is false information,” the Cambodian National Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The statement further added, “In fact, the Thai military forces launched the attack on the Cambodian forces at approximately 05:00 AM in the morning of December 8, 2025. It should be noted that this attack occurred after the Thai forces engaged in numerous provocative actions for many days, especially the incident yesterday at Prorlean Thmar area, with the objective of instigating confrontations.”

The Cambodian Ministry asserted that it didn’t retaliate during the two Thailand assaults as the country stands on the spirit of respecting all previous agreements and resolving conflicts peacefully according to international law.

It further stated that Cambodia, for the second time, has informed the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) about this incident and plans to request the AOT to conduct an investigation into the matter to ensure transparency, justice, and impartiality.