Thailand and Cambodia Agree Ceasefire After Weeks of Deadly Border Clashes

Ceasefire Agreement Reached

• 🤝 Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate ceasefire after nearly three weeks of intense cross-border fighting.
• 📌 The truce was signed by the defense ministers of both countries and took effect at noon local time.
• 🏠 The deal aims to allow almost a million displaced people to return to their homes.

Terms of the Ceasefire

• 🛑 Both sides have agreed to freeze troop movements along the border, with no further advancements.
• 🕊️ Once the ceasefire has persisted for 72 hours, 18 Cambodian soldiers held captive in Thailand since July will be released.
• 🔍 During the initial 72-hour fragile period, an ASEAN observer team will be present as third-party mediators.

Diplomatic Involvement

• 🇺🇸🇨🇳 The breakthrough followed days of talks, with diplomatic encouragement from China and the US.
• 🗣️ Previous mediation efforts involved the US President and Malaysian Prime Minister, as well as secretarial-level officers from the US and China.
• 🇹🇭 The Thai military has been persistent, stating they would not stop military operations unless Cambodia complied with their conditions and allowed ASEAN observers.