After deadly border clashes, Trump announces Thailand–Cambodia ceasefire

International

A CONFLICT that has killed at least 20 people and forced nearly half a million civilians from their homes may be nearing a pause, after US President Donald Trump said Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to stop fighting.

Trump made the announcement after separate telephone conversations with the prime ministers of both countries, following days of escalating violence along their disputed border. He said the halt in fighting would take effect later on Sunday.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said both leaders “have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me.” He added that the two countries were prepared to pursue peace and continue trade relations with the United States.

As of publication, neither Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul nor Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has publicly confirmed the agreement.

However, speaking at a news conference after his call with Trump, Charnvirakul said any ceasefire would depend on concrete actions by Cambodia, including an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of troops, and the removal of landmines.

In a BBC report, he said a truce would only come about if “Cambodia will cease fire, withdraw its troops, remove all landmines it has planted”.

The latest surge in violence dates back to July 24 when Cambodia launched a barrage of rockets into Thailand, prompting Thai forces to respond with air strikes. The exchange marked a sharp escalation in a long-running territorial dispute.

After several days of fighting, the two South East Asian neighbours announced what was described as an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” brokered by Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Despite that announcement, tensions continued to build.

This week, violence expanded into a broader area, affecting at least six provinces in north-eastern Thailand and five provinces in Cambodia’s north and north-west.

Thailand and Cambodia have disputed territorial sovereignty along their shared 800km land border for more than a century, a conflict rooted in boundaries drawn after the French occupation of Cambodia.(MyTVCebu)