BANGKOK — Thailand and Cambodia face mounting international pressure to agree to a ceasefire as deadly border clashes near the Preah Vihear temple region entered a fifth day on Monday, with both governments trading blame for the escalation. The fighting has killed dozens and displaced tens of thousands of civilians on both sides of the frontier.

The violence erupted last week around contested territory in the Dangrek Mountains, an area long disputed despite a 2013 International Court of Justice ruling favouring Cambodia. Both armies have accused each other of firing first and of targeting civilian areas, according to statements from the Thai and Cambodian defence ministries.

Malaysia, which holds the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has offered to mediate. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has spoken with leaders in both Bangkok and Phnom Penh, according to Malaysian government statements. US President Donald Trump also said he had urged both sides to halt hostilities, linking continued fighting to pending trade negotiations.

The United Nations Security Council was expected to discuss the crisis following Cambodia's request for an emergency session. Aid agencies warned that shelters near the border were overwhelmed, and the Thai government said it had evacuated residents from several provinces including Surin and Sisaket.

A Cambodian defence ministry spokesperson said: "We remain ready for dialogue, but Thailand must cease its aggression." Thai authorities insisted their operations were defensive.