At least 11 people were killed in heavy fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border on Thursday, involving both countries' troops and the use of heavy weapons, rockets, and fighter jets. The fighting, near the disputed Prasat Ta Moan Thom Temple in Surin province, Thailand, follows weeks of escalating tensions stemming from a May incident where a Cambodian soldier was killed and a February dispute over the temple. Each side blames the other for initiating the attack, and both countries have severed diplomatic relations and closed border crossings. Thailand reported retaliatory air strikes, while Cambodia denied initiating hostilities, accusing Thailand of violating its territorial integrity.

The fighting resulted in civilian casualties in Thailand, including the death of an eight-year-old child. Six people died in a single rocket strike at a gas station in Sisaket province. The Thai military reported that six F-16 fighter jets were deployed in response to the Cambodian attacks. The death toll in Cambodia remains unclear. Both countries' Prime Ministers have engaged in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict; Cambodia has called for a UN Security Council emergency meeting, while Thailand's acting Prime Minister stated the dispute must be resolved according to international law. ASEAN and other nations have appealed for de-escalation.

Impact Statement: This significant escalation of border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, involving air strikes and substantial civilian casualties, poses a severe threat to regional stability and underscores the urgent need for international mediation.