Thailand–Cambodia Border Conflict

Thailand used F‑16 jets to drop about 40 bombs on a Cambodian village in Banteay Meanchey province on Friday, destroying homes and infrastructure as ground fighting continued along the Thai‑Cambodian border despite parallel talks to restore a ceasefire that collapsed in early December. Thai officials say the joint army–air force strike was needed to defend Sa Kaeo province, while both sides trade accusations of violating a prior U.S.-backed truce, report dozens of military and civilian deaths and massive evacuations, and prepare for defense‑minister‑level talks as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offers to help facilitate peace. The clashes, rooted in long‑running territorial disputes, have persisted despite earlier mediation by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and pressure from President Donald Trump, whose claimed Dec. 12 ceasefire has not held.