PHNOM PENH — Fresh fighting erupted along the Cambodia-Thailand border, killing at least seven civilians and one Thai soldier, as tens of thousands fled their homes to escape the renewed conflict, officials reported Tuesday.

The violence reignited a longstanding territorial dispute that dates back to colonial-era border demarcations and involves several historical temples, including the UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear temple.

Details of the Conflict

According to the Cambodian Ministry of Defence, the Thai military fired shells into the border province of Banteay Meanchey after midnight on Sunday, killing two people traveling on National Road 56. By Tuesday morning, seven civilians had been killed and 20 more wounded from Thai shelling.

Cambodian authorities reported that Thai attacks resumed early Tuesday morning, targeting areas near centuries-old temples and populated regions along the border.

Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated from affected border areas, with emergency shelters overwhelmed in some provinces. In Thailand’s Surin province, locals such as Sutida Pusa, 30, described moving family members to temporary shelters while remaining nearby to guard their homes.

Retaliation and Official Statements

Cambodia’s former leader and current Senate president, Hun Sen, confirmed that Phnom Penh had retaliated after initially holding fire for more than 24 hours to allow civilians to evacuate safely. In a Facebook post, he said:

“After being patient to respect the ceasefire and evacuate people, we retaliated last night and this morning. Now we fight to defend ourselves again.”

Thailand reported the death of one soldier and injuries to 18 others since Sunday. Cambodian artillery reportedly fell on two civilian homes in Sa Kaeo province, though no casualties were reported there.

Historical Context

The Cambodia-Thailand border dispute has persisted for over a century, stemming from borders drawn during French colonial rule. Both nations claim territory containing ancient temples, leading to repeated clashes over the years.

The most recent serious escalation occurred in July 2025, when five days of combat killed dozens and displaced around 300,000 people on both sides before a temporary truce was brokered.

International Response

Global leaders have called for restraint amid the renewed fighting. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the European Union, and Malaysia’s prime minister, acting on behalf of ASEAN, urged both sides to halt hostilities immediately.

Previously, the United States, China, and ASEAN helped negotiate a ceasefire in July 2025, and President Donald Trump later supported a joint declaration and trade agreements after the truce. However, Thailand suspended the agreement the following month, and accusations of new clashes quickly followed.

Humanitarian Impact

The conflict has displaced tens of thousands of civilians and disrupted daily life on both sides of the border. Many families remain in temporary shelters, facing uncertainty over the ongoing violence.

Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra confirmed at least four civilians were killed and ten wounded by Thai shelling in two provinces on Monday, highlighting the ongoing danger to non-combatants in the region.