Four bomb blasts, two killed in southern Thailand; Filipino soldier, eight terrorists slain in clashes
A pro-IS bomber was nabbed in Mindanao and more news in this latest weekly Southeast Asia armed conflict summary (16-22 June 2025).
A very bloody week in Southeast Asia last week.
The region faced heightened tensions from terrorism, border disputes and geopolitical rivalry over the past week, with notably more deaths than usual in clashes and attacks in Thailand, the Philippines and Myanmar.
In Thailand, southern provinces saw a resurgence of violence. A woman was killed and a ranger injured in separate insurgent attacks, while a soldier was shot dead by a sniper. Three bombs exploded at a Red Cross fair in Pattani, injuring vendors and police officers. The unrest prompted some Malaysians to postpone travel to the south.
Tensions with Cambodia escalated following a leaked phone call between Thailand's prime minister and his Cambodian counterpart. Despite official denials of border closures, both countries exchanged accusations of military build-ups, with Cambodia threatening to ban Thai agricultural imports. Thailand's army closed a key border crossing and recalled its ambassador, although diplomatic ties remained intact. The Thai prime minister's visit to the border did little to ease the standoff, with both governments maintaining hardened positions.
In the Philippines, security forces continued operations against pro-Islamic State and communist insurgents. Two Dawlah Islamiya militants were killed and two arrested in Mindanao, while a suspected bomber was captured in Cotabato City. Clashes with communist rebels left several dead, including an NPA leader in Leyte and three insurgents in Sultan Kudarat. Numerous rebel surrenders and arrests were reported across Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Zamboanga Peninsula. Some provinces such as Davao and Davao de Oro marked insurgency-free status, with the military highlighting security gains.
Authorities reported the recovery of weapons caches in South Cotabato and Capiz, while efforts continued to round up remaining NPA remnants. However, violence persisted…