Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia flared once more on Monday as Thailand carried out airstrikes along the disputed border, leaving one Thai soldier dead and several others injured. The strikes came after both countries accused each other of violating the extended ceasefire agreement brokered earlier this year by U.S. President Donald Trump. Cambodia confirmed the attack but said it chose not to retaliate, stating that it was closely monitoring the situation.
The latest surge in hostilities marks another breakdown in a conflict that has simmered throughout the year. The border dispute first erupted violently in May 2025 when a Cambodian soldier was killed in the first deadly clash between the two sides since 2011. Relations deteriorated further in July after a landmine blast injured a Thai soldier, prompting Thailand to recall its ambassador. The following day, intensified battles broke out across the disputed frontier, with both nations placing blame on the other for initiating the violence. Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets during the confrontation, and one of the jets struck a Cambodian military target.
Over the next several days, the fighting escalated rapidly. Artillery and rockets were exchanged across multiple points along the border, making it the most severe conflict the region had seen in more than a decade. At least 48 people were killed, and hundreds of thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes. With the situation spiraling, President Trump intervened, calling on leaders of both nations to negotiate. A ceasefire was soon reached, with Malaysia, the United States and China assisting in mediation efforts. Representatives from Cambodia and Thailand met in Putrajaya, Malaysia, where they agreed to halt hostilities and reopen direct communication channels.
In October, the two countries signed a strengthened ceasefire deal, again facilitated by Trump. The enhanced agreement expanded on the framework established earlier and led to the U.S. president receiving a Nobel Peace Prize nomination from Cambodia. In the weeks that followed, both nations began withdrawing heavy weapons from the border and initiated de-mining operations. Cambodia expressed confidence that the process would be completed by the end of the year.
However, the fragile truce began to unravel in November when another landmine explosion injured a Thai soldier. Thailand accused Cambodia of laying new mines, a claim Cambodia denied. Fighting broke out again the next day, resulting in at least one death. Although tensions appeared to settle briefly, they reignited on December 8 when Thailand launched new airstrikes, claiming its troops had been fired upon first. Thousands of civilians were evacuated as both sides once again blamed each other for breaching the ceasefire.
The renewed violence raises fresh concerns about whether the peace agreement can survive repeated violations. With both countries trading accusations and the border becoming increasingly unstable, international mediators may be forced to intervene once again to prevent the conflict from escalating further.
