In a major diplomatic development, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced that Thailand and Cambodia have reached an agreement for an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire. The announcement comes amid heightened efforts to ease tensions and restore peace in the region.
Anwar, who chaired the talks as head of the ASEAN regional bloc, said both sides have reached a common understanding to take steps to return to normalcy. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai have agreed to "an immediate and unconditional ceasefire with effect from midnight of 28 July," Anwar said as he read out a joint statement. Hun Manet and Phuntam hailed the outcome of the meeting and shook hands at the conclusion of the brief press conference.
Trump's pressure spurs negotiations
Earlier on Sunday (July 27), Thailand and Cambodia had signalled their readiness to negotiate an end to a deadly border dispute following mediation efforts by US President Donald Trump. As per reports, the fighting killed at least 33 people and displaced more than 168,000. Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday that he spoke to the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia and suggested he would not move forward with trade agreements with either country if the hostilities continued. He later said both sides agreed to meet to negotiate a ceasefire.
Clashes sparked by border explosion
The fighting first flared on Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes. Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand closed its border crossings with Cambodia. Despite the diplomatic efforts, fighting continued Sunday along parts of the contested border, with both sides refusing to budge and trading blame over renewed shelling and troop movements. Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata accused Thai forces of escalating the violence with bombardment of Cambodian territory early Sunday, followed by a "large-scale incursion" involving tanks and ground troops in multiple areas.
(With inputs from AP)
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