Initial Casualty Report (Cambodian Side):
Cambodia announced its first official death toll from Saturday morning's clashes with Thai forces, reporting:
13 fatalities (5 Royal Cambodian Armed Forces personnel, 8 civilians)
21 soldiers wounded
≥50 civilians injured (moderate to severe)
Humanitarian Crisis:
Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Souchita confirmed:
35,829 civilians evacuated from high-risk zones in Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Pursat provinces
Thai forces accused of violating international humanitarian law, including:
• Indiscriminate attacks on civilians
• Shelling of villages and religious sites
• Use of cluster munitions
Thai Counterclaims:
Acting Thai PM Phumtham Wechayachai reported:
≥20 Thai civilian deaths (total bilateral fatalities now ≥33)
Martial law imposed in affected border areas
Regional Evacuations:
Thailand has evacuated >100,000 civilians from Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Buri Ram provinces
Military Escalation (Day 3):
Unprecedented combat intensity (heaviest in over a decade)
Both sides deploying:
• Warplanes
• Heavy artillery
• Sustained cross-border fire
Diplomatic Breakdown:
Thailand recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh
Expelled Cambodian envoy
Dispute over alleged recent landmine deployments (Thai claim vs. Cambodian denial)
Historical Context:
The conflict centers on the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple complex:
1962 ICJ ruling granted temple sovereignty to Cambodia
Thailand maintains claims to adjacent territory
Previous major clashes occurred during 2008-2011
Current Stalemate:
ASEAN's ceasefire proposal (led by Malaysia) remains unheeded as:
Military buildups continue
Regional calls for restraint intensify
Fighting persists across multiple frontline positions