SURIN, Thailand: Thai and Cambodian soldiers have clashed along the border between their countries in a major escalation that left at least 14 people dead, mostly civilians. The two sides fired small arms, artillery and rockets, and Thailand also launched airstrikes. Fighting took place in at least six areas on Thursday, according to Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri, a day after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers and led Bangkok to withdraw its ambassador from Cambodia and expel Cambodia’s envoy to Thailand.

Fighting was reported in at least six locations along the disputed Thai-Cambodia border on Thursday, with Thailand launching air strikes.

Thai air strikes rained down on Cambodia as 40,000 Thais fled deadly Cambodian rocket attacks and Bangkok accused Phnom Penh of ‘war crimes’.