Anna Hartz
Tensions along borders can flare quickly, especially when old disputes are involved.
Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of disagreements over territory. These disputes have sometimes turned deadly, forcing civilians to flee their homes. This week, both countries took a major step toward ending weeks of violent clashes.
Freezes all troop movements
Thailand and Cambodia announced an immediate ceasefire on Saturday, December 27., reports Ziare. The defense ministers of both countries issued a joint statement. The agreement freezes all troop movements. It also allows civilians in border areas to return home. The clashes had killed at least 41 people and displaced nearly a million. The ceasefire began at 12:00 local time, or 05:00 GMT.
The joint statement said that after 72 hours of observing the ceasefire, Thailand would release 18 Cambodian soldiers it had detained. Talks between Thai and Cambodian officials lasted several days before this agreement. The goal was to prevent further clashes. The communiqué laid out specific rules for de-escalation. Both sides agreed to stop attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and military targets.
The statement also said that neither country should fire without reason or move troops toward the other side’s positions. The release of Cambodian soldiers will follow the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration. This earlier agreement was signed in October, during a ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump.
Escalated in May
Despite the previous ceasefire, clashes had broken out again this month. Both countries blamed each other for violations. The Thai military said its forces were responding to Cambodian fire in Si Sa Ket province, injuring two soldiers. Cambodia said Thai forces attacked first in Preah Vihear province and claimed it did not retaliate.
The fighting continued through December. On Friday, Thailand conducted airstrikes on a disputed border area. The Thai air force said it targeted a fortified military position after civilians had fled. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry described the strikes as indiscriminate attacks on civilian homes.
Border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia go back more than a century. They escalated in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed. Fighting in July left dozens dead and thousands displaced. Intervention by Malaysia and President Trump helped broker a fragile truce in October called the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords. That agreement required withdrawal of heavy weapons and set up observers. It was suspended by Thailand in November, citing ongoing security concerns.
This new ceasefire offers a chance to stop the cycle of violence and allow civilians to return home safely.
