Thailand & Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as fighting continues on 2nd day

Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have continued on the second day, with the two countries exchanging heavy artillery fire on Jul. 25.

The death toll from the clashes currently stands at 16 and a total of 100,000 civilians have been evacuated from the conflict areas on the Thai side of the border.

Clashes began before dawn on Jul. 25

According to Reuters, Thailand's military reported that clashes started before dawn in the Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces in Thailand on Jul. 25, and that Cambodia had used artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket systems.

The Thai military said in a statement that "Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment" and that Thai forces have "responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation".

Journalists from Reuters reported hearing intermittent bursts of explosions and observed a strong deployment of armed Thai soldiers along roads and gas stations in the predominantly agrarian area.

A Thai military convoy, which includes about a dozen trucks, tanks and armoured vehicles, was also said to be advancing towards the border.

The Phnom Penh Post reported that the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) issued a statement on Jul. 25, expressing alarm and condemning the actions of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

It said that multiple submunitions were deployed in the vicinity of Phnom Khmaoch and Techo Thammachart Village in Cambodia, endangering surrounding communities.

The statement explained that "cluster munitions are banned under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) due to their wide-area effect and the long-lasting danger they pose to civilians, particularly children".

Death toll has risen to 16

According to the Public Health Ministry, the Thai death roll rose to 15 in the early morning of Jul. 25, Reuters reported.

A total of 46 people were wounded, 15 of whom were soldiers.

Cambodia's national government has yet to provide details of any casualties or evacuations of civilians.

The spokesperson for the provincial administration of Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, Meth Meas Pheakdey, stated that one civilian was killed and five were injured, while 1,500 families were evacuated.

Top photo via Army Spoke Team/Facebook