Philippines urges Thailand, Cambodia to de-escalate border conflict

On Thursday, July 24, the Philippines urged Thailand and Cambodia to de-escalate their renewed conflict after a deadly exchange of fire along their disputed border.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) called on both nations to prioritize the safety of civilians caught in the conflict, emphasizing the importance of maintaining open communication and de-escalating tensions.

Fighting broke out near an ancient temple on the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia, with Thai fighter jets dropping bombs on Cambodian military targets while Cambodian forces fired rockets into Thai territory. Most of the dead were civilians, including six who were killed when a rocket hit a petrol station.

The violence has quickly spread along the border, forcing an estimated 40,000 people to flee their homes.

Both Thai and Cambodian militaries have accused each other of firing first in the escalation that marked the first use of fighter jets in the decades-long border dispute.

As a result, the Philippine embassies in Thailand and Cambodia have released advisories telling Filipinos to avoid areas near the border and where military operations have been reported.

The Philippines does not take any position on this dispute but underscores the importance of maintaining open lines of communication and ensuring the de-escalation of the situation.