International Desk //

At least 12 people have been killed in military clashes on the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia, Thai authorities said. The latest clash has intensified the more than century-old dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.

The Thai army said most of the casualties were civilians from three provinces in the country. On the other hand, Cambodia has not yet commented on the casualties in the clash.

The two sides exchanged gunfire on Thursday morning. Both sides claim that the other side opened fire first.

On the one hand, Thailand accused Cambodia of firing rockets at them. On the other hand, Cambodia accused Bangkok of carrying out air strikes on its military targets.

The matter quickly became more serious amid these counter-accusations.

Thailand has closed its border with Cambodia. Cambodia has downgraded its relations with Thailand, accusing the military of “excessive use of force”.

Both countries have ordered their citizens to leave areas near the border. Thailand has already evacuated 40,000 civilians.

Suthian Phiochan, a local resident of Ban Dan district in Thailand’s Buriram province, near the Cambodian border, told the BBC: “(The fighting) is really serious. We are evacuating the area.”

Thai authorities say a total of 11 civilians, including an eight-year-old child and a 15-year-old boy, and one military officer have been killed in the fighting in Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and Srisaket provinces.

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