Thailand deploys F-16 jets in second strike ahead of midnight ceasefire with Cambodia
BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Thai Air Force strikes border targets hours before ceasefire, as Cambodia continues troop build-up near disputed temple zones.
Hours before the agreed ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia is set to take effect at midnight, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) conducted a second round of F-16 fighter jet operations targeting areas near Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin province.
The evening sortie involved two F-16 jets and followed an earlier morning mission in the same area. Both operations reportedly achieved their objectives and the aircraft returned safely to base, according to military officials.
The Second Army Area's Operations Centre reported on the situation as of 12pm today, confirming that fighting along the Thai–Cambodian border remains intense. Cambodian forces were observed reinforcing their positions and increasing troop deployments from further inland in an effort to seize control of strategic locations near the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temple zones.
Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" from midnight (1700 GMT) on Monday, in a bid to halt their deadliest conflict in more than a decade after five days of fierce fighting that has displaced more than 300,000 people.
After days of efforts by Malaysia, chair of the Asean regional bloc, the United States and China to bring both sides to the table, the two countries' leaders agreed to end hostilities, resume direct communications and create a mechanism to implement the truce. At least 36 people have been killed in the fighting, mostly civilians.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet thanked his acting Thai counterpart Phumtham Wechayachai for what he said was a positive role and said he deeply appreciated Trump's "decisive mediation" and China's constructive participation.
"We agreed that the fighting will stop immediately," he said, expressing confidence that both sides could rebuild trust and confidence. - The Nation Thailand/ANN
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