Cambodia-Thailand clashes spread

SREI SNAM, CAMBODIA:

Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia spread to more parts of their contested border on Tuesday, forcing a mass exodus of civilians as the renewed hostilities derailed a US-brokered truce.

At least 10 soldiers and civilians have been killed on both sides in the latest spate of fighting, officials said, while more than 140,000 civilians have fled the areas near where jets, tanks and drones were waging battle.

Thailand and Cambodia dispute the colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier, where competing claims to historic temples can spill over into armed conflict.

This week's clashes are the deadliest since five days of fighting in July that killed dozens before a shaky truce was agreed, in large part owing to intervention by US President Donald Trump.

Both sides blame each other for sparking the renewed clashes, which on Tuesday expanded to five provinces of both Thailand and Cambodia, according to an AFP tally of official accounts.

Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen said his country retaliated against Thailand, after Phnom Penh said it had initially not fired back for two days as Thailand announced air strikes and tank barrages.