Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia entered their third day on July 26, with Thai authorities reporting 20 fatalities – including 13 civilians – and Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence confirming 13 deaths. Dozens more have been injured on both sides, straining medical facilities near the conflict zone.
Hospitals Overwhelmed Amid Ongoing Fire
CGTN footage from July 25 revealed the human toll of the fighting, showing medical staff treating over 10 injured patients at a Cambodian hospital. Gunfire echoes could still be heard during filming, underscoring the proximity of combat to civilian areas. 'Several wounded soldiers were among those rushed here,' a stringer reported from the scene.
Historical Dispute Fuels Modern Conflict
The violence centers around contested temple complexes near the border, a decades-old territorial dispute. While ASEAN has called for restraint, the latest escalation raises concerns about regional stability and its potential impact on cross-border trade routes vital to Southeast Asia's economy.
