After three days of armed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, U.S. President Donald Trump held talks with both nations' leaders and urged them to agree on an immediate ceasefire. Trump announced this during his visit to Scotland via social media.
According to him, after speaking with Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet, both sides agreed to meet soon face-to-face to negotiate a ceasefire and pursue peace.
“Both parties are striving for an immediate ceasefire and peace,” Trump wrote. “They want to return to trade negotiations.”
Thailand reported that seven soldiers and 13 civilians were killed, while Cambodia said five soldiers and eight civilians had died.
A university compound in Thailand has been turned into temporary shelter, now housing over 5,000 people, most of whom lived near the border.
Root of the border conflict — ancient temples and undefined boundaries
Thailand and Cambodia have long-standing tensions along their 817-kilometer land border, parts of which remain legally undefined.
Regional and international involvement
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, currently chair of ASEAN, has pushed forward a ceasefire initiative.
At a UN Security Council meeting, Thailand’s representative said Cambodia planted landmines and launched attacks. Cambodia, in turn, accused Thailand of “deliberate and unlawful military aggression” and urged the international community to strongly condemn Thailand’s actions.
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