ANKARA

At least 14 people have been killed after day-long airstrikes and rocket firing between Thailand and Cambodia, but officials claim the border situation has “calmed down.”

The Thai Health Ministry confirmed the death toll of Thai people rose to 14, including a child and one soldier, after artillery shells fired from Cambodia struck several places, according to the Thai Enquirer.

Thirty-two civilians were injured following the clashes, seven critically. Additionally, 14 soldiers sustained injuries, with six in serious condition.

The reported "calm" along the borders comes as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim spoke to his Thai and Cambodian counterparts, Phumtham Wechayachai and Hun Manet, respectively, urging the warring sides to declare an "immediate ceasefire."

🔴 Thai and Cambodian troops clashed in a disputed area of their border, with both sides accusing each other of initiating the latest clash

🚨 Latest clash coincides with Cambodia's downgrading of diplomatic ties with Thailand to 'lowest level' https://t.co/DQwVmrFHLY pic.twitter.com/7TY1Gezqyy

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Striking an optimistic note, Anwar said the two sides have given "positive signals" for a "shown willingness" to prevent further de-escalation.

Cambodia has not released any information on casualties so far.

However, the daily Khmer Times reported that Thai troops fired shells into some villages, including those of the Rohingya people.

In the wake of the attacks, there was displacement of people on both sides of the border.

The two sides also closed schools.

A high-ranking Cambodian military officer stated that the Cambodian army maintained control over the Ta Moan Thom Temple, the Ta Krabey Temple, and the Mom Tei area near the border.

The unnamed commander said that by around 7 pm local time (1200GMT), the situation along the border had "calmed down,” according to the Cambodian newspaper Khmer Times.

Separately, the Cambodian Ministry of Information alleged that Thai F-16 fighter jets caused damage to the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

“Cambodia has always stood by its principle of resolving disputes through peaceful means,” Prime Minister Hun Manet said. “But in this situation, we have no choice but to respond with military force against the armed aggression.”

The premier called on the UN Security Council to address "premeditated military aggression" by Thailand.

Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said: “We have not yet declared war on Cambodia. What is happening are just armed clashes.”

He urged an end to the conflict before bilateral talks, adding that the “fighting has to stop first before there are any negotiations with Cambodia.”

The Thai army claimed that two Cambodian tanks were destroyed in the Satta Som observation post, and Thai forces retook the area near the Preah Vihear Temple.

The latest clash occurred a day after a Thai soldier lost his leg in a landmine explosion.

Thailand’s military accused Cambodian troops of firing at a Thai army base in an area near the ancient Ta Muen Thom Temple – which lies in disputed territory in the south of Thailand’s Surin province.

Cambodia and Thailand have downgraded diplomatic ties to the lowest level in decades, after the tensions between the two countries have been rising since May 28, when troops exchanged fire near the border, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

The two Southeast Asian neighbors have a disputed border lying across Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand.

*Aamir Latif in Karachi contributed to this story.​​​​​​​