Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, F-16 warplanes bomb targets in Cambodian territory

An F-16 aircraft of Thailand's Air Force bombed targets Thursday in Cambodia's territory, confirmed officials from both countries, while armed clashes along the disputed border have caused the deaths of at least two civilians and significantly increased regional tensions.

According to the Thai Army, out of six F-16 fighter aircraft prepared for delocation along the disputed border, one has undertaken an air strike by destroying a military target on Cambodian territory. Both sides have accused each other of starting fighting in early hours Thursday morning.

“We used air forces against military targets, as was planned”, Thai Army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told media.

At the same time, Thailand has officially closed its border with Cambodia as part of security measures.

On the other hand, Cambodia's Defence Ministry stated that Thai planes dropped two bombs on one road, severely condemning what it called the <x0-second military aggressive and brutal occupation by the Thailand Kingdom against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia”.

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F-16 jets discovered Cabondian battalons.
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) Tiger NS (@TIgerNS3) Julie 24, 2025

This escalation of violence comes after Thailand's decision to withdraw its ambassador from Cambodia on Wednesday night and expel the Cambodian diplomatic representative in Bangkok. The decision was made after another Thai soldier lost his foot in a mine that, according to Bangkok, had recently been placed in a controversial area.

Thai residents in the Suri border province have been forced to take refuge in bunkers built by concrete, sand and car tires, while the two armies have exchanged intensive fire.

How many bullets are fired? Without number!”, said a woman for the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS), while hiding in a shelter, in the background of gunshots and explosions.

For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have had constant disagreement over the sovereignty of certain unmarked points along their 817 - mile - long [817 km] earthly border, causing occasional clashes and dozens of victims over the years. These include a seven - day artillery conflict in 2011.

Tensions have risen again since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief crash, which later turned into a full diplomatic crisis and has now led to armed clashes between the two countries. /Periscopi