Thai and Cambodian forces clash at border, prompting US embassy alert

“There are reports of casualties and the Thai government is ordering the evacuation of certain areas,” the U.S. State Department said in an alert.

​”There are reports of casualties and the Thai government is ordering the evacuation of certain areas,” the U.S. State Department said in an alert.   

LONDON — Thailand and Cambodia were engaged in armed clashes, including rocket and artillery fire, along a disputed area of their border, the U.S. State Department said in an alert.

Both countries accused the other of firing the first shots as tensions boiled over on Thursday and reports of casualties begin to emerge.

The fighting came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia’s envoy in Bangkok, according to Reuters.

“U.S. citizens living or traveling near the Thailand-Cambodia border should follow direction from Thai security services and consult local government authorities for the latest information,” the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Thailand said in a security alert.

The initial shots took place near the Ta Moan Thom temple — around 225 miles from Bangkok — and were followed by what Thailand described as airstrikes on military targets in Cambodia, after nine Thai civilians were killed by shelling from Cambodia targeting civilian areas, including a hospital, according to officials in Bangkok.

Thailand’s military says it has closed all border checkpoints with Cambodia and that fighting was taking place at six different points, prompting Bangkok to activate an emergency war readiness plan.

Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty for more than a century at various contested points along their 508 miles of land border. This has led to several skirmishes over the years that has killed at least a dozen, including a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011.

ABC News’ Will Gretsky and Britt Clennett contributed to this report.