Thai F-16s strike Cambodian positions after deadly border attacks - Winthai

The Thai Airforce used F-16 fighter jets to strike Cambodian positions in the Chong Ahn Ma border area, in retaliation for a series of Cambodian attacks early on Monday which left one Thai soldier dead and two injured.

Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said at 7.10am today that aircraft were ordered into action after Cambodian forces used artillery and aerial munitions against Thai troops at their Anupong base.

“The positions were actively attacking Thai forces,” he said, adding that operations were ongoing.

The F-16s were providing close air support, targeting Cambodian artillery positions that had fired into Thai territory, he said.

The 2nd Army Area Command said that the Thai military launched the air strikes, beginning around 5am, across the border areas of Ahn Ma, Prasart Kana and Sao Wittayu (near Preah Vihear Temple).

The Thai Army reported that Cambodian forces opened fire into the Chong Ahn Ma border area of Ubon Ratchathani province this morning, prompting Thai troops to return fire under established rules of engagement, as tensions escalated along the frontier.

In a 6.50am statement, the 2nd Army Area said the situation “remains active” and pledged to defend Thailand’s sovereignty “with its full strength.”

A similar post by the Army’s ‘Instant News’ channel claims that Cambodia fired first, using mortars.

Winthai reported a timeline of this morning’s Cambodian attacks:

· 5.05am - In the Chong Ahn Ma area, Cambodian troops fired rifles at Thai Border Patrol Police Company 793 positions.

· 5.11am - Cambodian troops fired three additional rifle rounds at Chong Ahn Ma Daen Klai.

· 5.21am - At the Rakh Ya base, Thai soldiers detected two drones, launched from the Daen Klai base.

· 5.23am - In the Chong Ahn Ma market area, Cambodian soldiers fired a burst from a machine gun at Thai forces.

· 5.24am - Thailand’s Jensuek operations base returned fire with a burst from a machine gun toward the Chong Ahn Ma market, in accordance with international rules of self-defence.

· 5.30am - At the Daen Klai East base, Cambodian troops continued machine-gun fire at Thai positions.

· 5.36am - Thai forces returned fire in self-defence; no Cambodian response followed.

· 5.57am - At Rakh Ya, about 50 Cambodian soldiers were spotted moving on foot from the casino area toward Hill 677.

· 6am - Cambodian troops fired five rifle rounds at Thai positions in Huai Bon.

· 6.07am - Cambodian forces fired single mortar rounds at the Ton Manao and Huai Bon bases.

· 6.11am - A mortar shell landed in a dirt pit behind the Thai Market.

· 6.17am - The Jensuek base fired 60mm mortars at Cambodian positions.

· 6.23am - Mortar rounds landed on three cliff-edge Thai positions.

The escalating confrontation has prompted Thailand to shift from defensive responses to targeted air operations against the Cambodian artillery and rocket positions believed to be firing into Thailand.

According to earlier updates from the 2nd Army Area’s operations center, Cambodian troops began firing at Thai positions at around 10pm yesterday in the Chong Khana and Chong Rayi areas.

Thai authorities reported significant deployment of Cambodian military assets overnight, including T-55 tanks, RM-70 and BM-21 rocket launchers and Type-90B multiple launch systems into the border districts of Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear.

Cambodian forces are also said to have been placed on their highest state of combat readiness, reinforcing defensive positions, stockpiling ammunition and monitoring Thai activities closely.

Meanwhile, large numbers of civilians are reportedly evacuating from border communities on both sides of the conflict zone.

At around 3.25am, Thai surveillance units detected Cambodian troops designating fire-support targets inside Thailand, one just 13km from Buri Ram airport and another approximately 31km from the border in Surin province.

The 2nd Army Area has appealed to the public and to all military personnel to refrain from posting or sharing images and information related to military operations. Such data, the statement warned, could be analysed by opposing forces and potentially compromise troop safety and national security.

The Army also instructed soldiers at all levels not to reveal weapons details, troop movements, operational plans or locations, including through photos containing GPS metadata.