Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Air Strike Near Angkor Wat

Cambodia has accused neighboring Thailand of bombing its territory in a rare direct allegation between the two Southeast Asian nations. The Cambodian government stated that a Thai fighter jet dropped bombs on the village of Samrong, located in Oddar Meanchey province. This area is approximately 150 kilometers from the ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Cambodia's most popular tourist destination. According to the Cambodian report, the incident occurred on Friday. It claims the bombing destroyed a civilian's house, though there were no reported casualties. The alleged strike took place near the two countries' disputed border. Thailand has strongly denied the accusation. A spokesperson for the Thai military called the claim "groundless," stating that no Thai aircraft had flown into Cambodian airspace. The border between Cambodia and Thailand has been a source of tension for decades. While relations have improved in recent years, both nations have historically stationed troops in the contested area. There has been no independent confirmation of the reported bombing. The Cambodian statement did not specify a suspected reason for the alleged Thai action.