PHNOM PENH — At least eight Cambodian civilians and five soldiers were killed in cross-border fighting with Thailand, the Cambodian Defense Ministry confirmed on Saturday.

Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata reported that 21 Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) personnel and at least 50 civilians were injured during intense artillery exchanges that began Thursday.

The clashes have displaced 35,829 Cambodian civilians from high-risk areas in Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Pursat provinces, according to the ministry.

On the Thai side, 15 fatalities have been reported, including one soldier, and thousands have been displaced due to the ongoing violence.

The fighting entered its third consecutive day, with Thailand deploying fighter jets and Cambodia launching rockets. Both nations have accused each other of initiating the gunfire.

The border dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbors stretches along Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province.

Tensions have been rising since May 28, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in the region. — Agencies