The ministry reported in a social media statement that the Thai army fired at the border province of Banteay Meanchey after midnight, resulting in the death of two civilians traveling on National Road No. 56 due to the shelling. It was also announced that one soldier was killed and 18 others were injured since the new round of fighting began on Sunday. The Cambodian Ministry of Defense accused Thailand on Tuesday of spraying toxic substances over a border area. On the same day, the operational center of the Thai army’s second military region announced that Cambodia launched BM-21 rockets on four Thai border areas, stating that the Thai forces “had no choice but to respond according to the rules of engagement to neutralize the threat, stop enemy fire, and protect the lives and properties of residents in the border areas.” The ministry said in a social media statement: “The Thai forces maintained continuous fire almost throughout the night in the military region No. 5 area… The Thai side also used a large drone for reconnaissance… Thereafter, the Thai forces sprayed toxic substances over the area.” The ministry added that two civilians were killed by shells fired by Thailand. Fighting escalated along the Thailand-Cambodia border over the weekend and continued into Monday, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire. The “Khaosod” news site reported, citing a Thai army spokesman, that Cambodia launched an airstrike on the Anupong military base, prompting Thailand to respond with an airstrike targeting military infrastructure. The conflict revolves around a century-old border dispute linked to maps drawn during the French colonial period in the region, with both countries claiming sovereignty over several border temples.
