On December 21, the Royal Thai Army confirmed that it had conducted an airstrike targeting Cambodia's O'Chik Bridge, in the Oddar Meanchey province, saying the bridge was used to supply Cambodia's frontline forces.
According to the Thai military, the O'Chik inciting exercise will make it more difficult for Cambodia to mobilize soldiers, weapons and military equipment, thereby reducing combat capabilities and creating conditions for Thai units to operate more effectively in contested areas, including Prasat Ta Kwai and the 350 high point in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin province.
The airstrike took place on the night of December 19 (local time), using high-precision and tightly controlled weapons, focusing on military targets such as the BM-21 rocket launcher.
The Thai side also emphasized that Cambodian civilians can still cross the bridge by road or motorbike.
O'Chik Bridge is located on National Highway 68, Chong Kal District, Oddar Meanchey Province (Cambodia), about 62km from Chong Chom Border Gate of Surin Province (Thailand). The bridge has been in use for more than a decade and is an important connection between Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey provinces of Cambodia.
The campaign was launched after discovering an increase in Cambodia's mobilization of soldiers and equipment to the front line - a move Bangkok said was a threat to Thailand's sovereignty.
Cambodia also confirmed the airstrike.
Lieutenant General Maly Socheata - Defense Ministry spokesman and spokesperson of the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense - said that the attack took place at 10:58 p.m. on December 19, when Thailand deployed an F-16 fighter to drop two bombs, destroying the civil bridge.
Ms. Maly Socheata added that as of the morning of December 22 (local time), Thai military forces continued to fire at many locations in Cambodian territory.
According to the latest figures released by the Cambodian Home Affairs Ministry, the conflict has so far killed 18 Cambodian civilians and injured 79 others.
