Trump-brokered peace deal breaks as Thailand attacks Cambodia; What triggered clashes that has displaced nearly 4 lakh people

Thailand launched air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia on Monday after both sides accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. At least one Thai soldier was killed and four others were injured in fresh clashes in Thailand’s eastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, the Thai military said.

“The Thai side has now begun using aircraft to strike military targets in several areas,” the Thai military said in a statement.

Cambodia said its forces had not carried out any retaliation. The latest fighting marks a fresh breakdown of the peace deal that followed deadly clashes earlier this year.

What triggered the Thailand-Cambodia fresh military action

The Thai army said the air strikes were launched after Cambodian forces opened artillery and mortar fire earlier in the day. The attack killed one Thai soldier and injured two others.

Thai military spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree said the operation targeted “arms-supporting positions” near the Chong An Ma Pass and accused Cambodian units of repeatedly shelling Thai territory.

Cambodia’s defence ministry said Thai forces launched early morning attacks at two locations after what it called a series of provocative actions. It added that Cambodian troops did not respond to the strikes.

Thailand’s army also accused Cambodian forces of firing BM-21 rockets towards Thai civilian areas. It said there were no reports of casualties from the rocket fire.

Ceasefire collapse after July conflict

The border dispute had erupted into a five-day conflict in July before a ceasefire was brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump later witnessed the signing of an expanded peace agreement in Kuala Lumpur in October.

At least 48 people were killed in the July fighting, and an estimated 300,000 people were displaced as both sides exchanged rockets and heavy artillery fire.

Thailand said last month it had stopped following the ceasefire agreement after a landmine blast injured several of its soldiers.

Landmine blasts and civilian death add to tensions

Fresh incidents followed the ceasefire suspension. A Thai soldier lost his foot in a landmine explosion last week, prompting Bangkok to accuse Cambodia of restarting hostilities.

A Cambodian civilian was later reported killed in new clashes near Prey Chan village. Both governments accused each other of deliberate escalation.

Cambodia’s former leader urges forces to hold back

Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen, father of Prime Minister Hun Manet, accused Thailand of trying to provoke a response.

“The red line for responding has already been set. I urge commanders at all levels to educate all officers and soldiers accordingly,” Hun Sen said on Facebook.

Nearly 4 lakh civilians displaced from border areas

Thailand has started large-scale evacuations across four border districts as fighting continued. The Thai military said more than 385,000 civilians are being moved to safer areas, with over 35,000 people already staying in temporary shelters.

A long-running Thailand-Cambodia border dispute

Thailand and Cambodia have disputed control over several parts of their 817-kilometre land border for more than a century. The boundary was first mapped in 1907 during French colonial rule in Cambodia.

The tension has led to repeated clashes, including a week-long artillery exchange in 2011, despite efforts to resolve overlapping territorial claims through talks.