Escalating Tensions: Thailand Executes Air Strikes Amid Ongoing Ceasefire Negotiations with Cambodia

Fri Dec 26 2025 18:47:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Thailand has conducted air strikes on a disputed border area with Cambodia while peace talks continue to resolve heightened tensions. Fighting has resulted in numerous casualties and significant displacement.

In a concerning development, the Thai Air Force launched air strikes on a disputed area at the Cambodia-Thai border, claiming to target military positions after civilians evacuated. This bombing comes amidst ongoing discussions aimed at halting recent violent confrontations that have led to at least 41 deaths and nearly one million displacements. As both nations accuse each other of breaching the peace, international mediators are attempting to broker a lasting ceasefire.

Thailand carried out air strikes on a disputed border area with Cambodia on Friday, as officials from both sides continued talks to try to end fighting.

The Thai Air Force said it had hit a Cambodian 'fortified military position' after civilians had left the area. Cambodia's defence ministry accused Thailand of 'indiscriminate attacks' against civilian houses and injuring several people.

Fighting broke out again earlier this month after a fragile ceasefire in July halted five days of intense border clashes.

At least 41 people have been killed and almost one million displaced since the hostilities resumed.

Both countries have blamed each other for the breakdown of the truce.

Since then, fighting has spread to nearly every province along the 500-mile (800km) border.

Cambodia's defence ministry said Friday's attacks were in the north-western Banteay Meanchey province. Up to 40 bombs were dropped by F-16 fighter jets, the ministry said in a Facebook post.

Thailand said the action was aimed at controlling Nong Chan village, and was 'carried out efficiently and successfully'.

It came as Thai and Cambodian negotiators held their third day of talks at a border checkpoint. Defence ministers from both sides are due to join the discussions on Saturday.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday that once both sides agreed to each other's conditions, a ceasefire agreement could be signed.

I hope this time will be the last one we'd have to sign, so that peace can occur in the area, he said, [and] people can return to their homes.

The US and China have also been attempting to mediate a new ceasefire.

The dispute between Thailand and Cambodia dates back more than a century, with sporadic clashes over the years resulting in casualties on both sides.

Notably, tensions escalated in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation. The situation boiled over on 24 July, resulting in a barrage of attacks that triggered five days of intense fighting.