Thai F-16s Strike Cambodian Artillery After Fatal Attack
UBON RATCHATHANI, Dec 8 (TNA) - Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets to strike Cambodian artillery positions on Monday, the Thai military announced, following a cross-border shelling attack that killed one Thai soldier and wounded two others at the Anupong military base in Ubon Ratchathani.
The retaliatory air strikes commenced around 7:10 a.m. local time (0010 GMT) against Cambodian "weapon support installations" near the Chong An Ma pass. These positions had been shelling Thai forces, according to Army Spokesman Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree.
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Spokesman Air Marshal Jakkrit Thammavichai, confirmed the air operation was a joint response to a direct security threat, targeting only military objectives due to Cambodian heavy military equipment movements detected near the border.
The RTAF stated the mission was executed under the Right of Self-Defence principle of the UN Charter and strictly adhered to the principles of Necessity and Proportionality, aimed at inhibiting and reducing Cambodian military potential to maintain regional stability.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul scrapped his scheduled visit today to the volatile Thai-Cambodian border province. He instead chairs a securiy agencies meet at Government House.
The escalation leading to Monday's air strikes was preceded by an armed confrontation on Sunday.
The 2nd Army Region Command Center reported that on December 7, at 2:16 p.m. local time, Cambodian forces initiated firing in the Phu Pha Lek – Phlan Hin Paet Kon area in Si Sa Ket, necessitating immediate Thai retaliation under the rules of engagement.
During the exchange of fire, two Thai soldiers were injured. Although the initial clash subsided around 2:50 p.m. local time, the volatile situation prompted the urgent evacuation of residents across four border provinces: Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani. -
