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الوسم: border conflict

  • Thailand and Cambodia Announce Immediate Ceasefire Agreement

    Thailand and Cambodia Announce Immediate Ceasefire Agreement

    Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, announced in a joint statement by the Cambodian side on Saturday, promising to halt weeks of intense border fighting.

    The long-standing dispute at the border reignited earlier this month, breaking a previous ceasefire and resulting in at least 47 deaths, according to official reports. About one million people have been displaced due to the clashes.

    “Both parties concur to an immediate ceasefire following the signing of this Joint Statement, effective from 12:00 PM (local time) on December 27, 2025. This includes all types of weapons, attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and military targets of either side, across all areas,” the statement, signed by each country’s defense ministers, specified.

    The agreement also calls for the cessation of troop movements and for civilians living near the border to be allowed to return home without delay. Additionally, the nations have agreed to collaborate on demining initiatives and efforts to fight cybercrime.

    The ceasefire will take effect at noon, aiming to put an end to the fighting centered on several ancient temples in contested border zones.

    This development follows three days of peace talks conducted after a crisis meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers, which includes both Cambodia and Thailand, with the United States, China, and Malaysia urging the neighbors to resume their ceasefire.

    Previously, a truce brokered by these countries ended a five-day conflict in July, but it proved to be short-lived.

  • Cambodia Claims Thailand Continues Bombing After Trump Truce Request

    Cambodia Claims Thailand Continues Bombing After Trump Truce Request

    Cambodia reported on Saturday that Thailand kept bombing its territory hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the neighboring countries had agreed to cease hostilities.

    The recent clashes between the Southeast Asian nations, originating from a longstanding dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometer (500-mile) border, have displaced approximately half a million people on both sides.

    Both nations accused each other of reigniting the conflict.

    “The Cambodian defense ministry stated on X that on December 13, 2025, the Thai military deployed two F-16 fighter jets to drop seven bombs on various targets,” and added, “Thai aircraft have not stopped bombing.”

    Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared on Facebook, “Thailand will continue military actions until we ensure no further harm or threats to our land and people.”

    This follows Trump’s claim on Friday that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to halt fighting along their disputed border, which has resulted in at least 20 deaths this week.

    “I had a very productive conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, regarding the unfortunate resurgence of their long-standing conflict,” Trump shared on his Truth Social platform.

    “They have committed to stopping all shooting tonight and returning to the original peace agreement I facilitated, with the support of Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim,” he added, referencing a deal from July.

    “Both nations are prepared to pursue peace and continue trade relations with the United States,” Trump stated, expressing gratitude to Anwar for his assistance.

    Earlier, Anutin emphasized the importance of transparency, saying, “It must be publicly announced that Cambodia will adhere to the ceasefire.”

    He also noted, “The party that violated the agreement needs to rectify the situation — not the side that was violated,” and mentioned that his discussion with Trump had gone well.

    In July, the US, China, and Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, brokered a ceasefire after a brief period of intense violence.

    In October, Trump supported a subsequent joint declaration between Thailand and Cambodia, highlighting new trade agreements after extending their truce.

    However, Thailand suspended the agreement the following month after its soldiers were injured by landmines near the border.

    Hun Manet affirmed Cambodia’s commitment to peaceful resolution, stating on Facebook, “Cambodia has always strived for peaceful ways to resolve disputes.” He also suggested that the US and Malaysia could help verify which side initiated fire on December 7 using their intelligence resources.

    Anutin indicated that there were no signs Trump would link future trade negotiations to the border conflict but assured that Thailand would secure better benefits than other nations.

    Recently, Anutin dissolved Thailand’s parliament after three months in office, paving the way for early general elections next year.

  • Trump claims he can swiftly resolve Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions

    Trump claims he can swiftly resolve Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions

    President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he plans to quickly resolve the ongoing conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir as outstanding individuals.

    He made this statement during the signing ceremony of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Border crossings between the two nations have been shut since October 11 after recent clashes that resulted in dozens of deaths on each side—the fiercest fighting since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021.

    The clashes erupted after Pakistan demanded that Afghanistan take responsibility for militants attacking from across their shared border, asserting these fighters operate from safe havens in Afghanistan. Last weekend, negotiations led to a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey, which has held so far. During a subsequent round of talks in Istanbul, Pakistan provided the Taliban with a comprehensive counterterrorism plan.

    Trump expressed confidence in his ability to facilitate peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan. “We’re averaging one conflict per month, and although there’s some activity again, I believe I can resolve this swiftly,” he said. “I know both leaders well—the Prime Minister and Field Marshal—and I’m sure we’ll get this done quickly.”

    He also emphasized his commitment to peacebuilding, stating, “If I can take the time to save millions of lives, that’s a major achievement. Unlike many previous presidents who start wars, I focus on ending them.”

    In the meantime, Thailand and Cambodia leaders signed an improved ceasefire agreement in Trump’s presence, a move that earned him a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. This agreement builds on a previous truce signed three months ago after Trump urged the leaders to cease hostilities, warning that continued fighting could jeopardize their trade negotiations with the U.S.

    The recent five-day fighting saw both sides blaming each other for initiating the conflict, which killed at least 48 people and displaced around 300,000 in their worst clashes in recent memory.

  • Thailand, Cambodia to discuss deadly Malaysia border clash

    Thailand, Cambodia to discuss deadly Malaysia border clash

    Zonal authority officials reported that military vehicles are visible in Sisaket province, as both Cambodia and Thailand accused each other of initiating fresh artillery strikes across disputed border regions early on July 27, 2025. — Reuters

    Thailand announced that Malaysia will host peace talks on Monday, with both nations’ leaders expected to participate. The negotiations are scheduled to start at 3 p.m. local time, with Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai leading Thailand’s delegation, according to a government statement released Sunday night. Malaysia, serving as chair of the ASEAN regional cooperation forum, has also informed Thailand that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will join the discussions.

    The border conflict has heightened tensions between Thailand and Cambodia since late May, following the death of a Cambodian soldier during a brief skirmish. Both countries increased military presence along the border amid a deepening diplomatic crisis that nearly toppled Thailand’s fragile coalition government. Hostilities resumed Thursday, escalating into the most intense fighting between the two Southeast Asian neighbors in over ten years.

    The death toll has surpassed 30, including 13 civilians in Thailand and 8 in Cambodia. Over 200,000 residents have been evacuated from the affected border areas. The forthcoming talks follow Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent proposal for a ceasefire, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement Saturday that the two leaders had agreed to seek a cessation of hostilities.

    Bangkok and Phnom Penh continue to blame each other for sparking the recent violence. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry accused Thailand of shelling and ground assaults early Sunday, claiming heavy artillery targeted historic temple sites. A student from Phnom Penh University expressed hope that Thailand would agree to stop fighting, advocating for peace.

    Thailand’s military reported Cambodian forces fired into multiple areas, including near civilian residences, and were preparing long-range rocket launchers. The Thai army warned that Cambodian troops might be gearing up for increased military operations to inflict maximum damage before negotiations could be finalized. Shelling was heard throughout Sunday in Sisaket province, where a local health clinic located about 10 km from the border was damaged—its windows shattered, walls collapsed, and wiring exposed. Media indicated the clinic had been hit two days earlier, shortly after residents evacuated.

    Local residents near Sisaket shared that only a few men remained to manage their homes, staying near makeshift bunkers amid periodic artillery fire. A resident, Thavorn Toosawan, praised U.S. efforts to promote a ceasefire, believing it could lead to peace.

    The long-standing dispute centers on unmarked sections along Thailand and Cambodia’s 817-kilometer border, notably over control of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and Preah Vihear. Court rulings awarded Preah Vihear to Cambodia in 1962, but tensions escalated in 2008 when Cambodia sought UNESCO World Heritage status for it, leading to years of skirmishes that resulted in over a dozen deaths. Cambodia recently requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to resolve the boundary issues; Thailand, however, has refused to accept the court’s jurisdiction, advocating for bilateral negotiations instead.

  • Why Are Thailand and Cambodia Clashing Along Their Border?

    Why Are Thailand and Cambodia Clashing Along Their Border?

    Thailand and Cambodia are currently experiencing their fiercest clashes in over ten years, exchanging heavy artillery across their contested border. At least 16 individuals have been killed, and tens of thousands have been forced to flee their homes.

    Hostilities intensified in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief exchange of gunfire. Since then, tensions have escalated steadily, leading to diplomatic disagreements and active military confrontations.

    Clashes began early Thursday near an area adjacent to an ancient temple, swiftly spreading along the disputed border. Heavy artillery exchanges persisted into the second day. Thailand recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia’s envoy after a Thai soldier lost a limb due to a landmine, which Bangkok claims was recently planted by Cambodian forces. Cambodia denied the accusation.

    Both nations accuse each other of initiating the violence; so far, at least 15 civilians have died, most on the Thai side. Cambodia has deployed truck-mounted rocket launchers, which Thailand alleges have targeted civilian zones, while Thailand has dispatched F-16 fighter jets to strike military positions across the border.

    Approximately 130,000 residents in Thailand’s border regions have been evacuated to safer locations, and around 12,000 families on the Cambodian side have also been relocated away from the conflict zones.

    The origins of their long-standing dispute trace back over a century. The 817 km land border was first mapped by France in 1907 when Cambodia was under colonial rule. That map, which Thailand challenged, was based on an agreement to demarcate the border along the natural watershed. While in 2000 both countries agreed to form a Joint Boundary Commission to resolve overlapping claims peacefully, progress has been limited.

    Historical disputes over heritage sites have fueled nationalist sentiments. Notably, in 2003, riots erupted in Phnom Penh after a Thai celebrity made remarks questioning Cambodia’s claim over Angkor Wat, leading to the torching of the Thai embassy and businesses.

    A longstanding flashpoint is the Hindu temple Preah Vihear, claimed by both countries. The International Court of Justice awarded it to Cambodia in 1962, but Thailand continued to assert claims to the surrounding area. Tensions intensified again in 2008 when Cambodia sought UNESCO World Heritage status for the site, resulting in several years of skirmishes, including a deadly weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011. The ICJ reaffirmed Cambodia’s claim in 2013, ordering Thai troops to withdraw from the vicinity.

    Despite historical rivalries, current government relations remain outwardly friendly, partly due to ties between influential former leaders of both nations. However, rising nationalist sentiments in Thailand, fueled by conservative critics’ objections to joint resource exploration talks with Cambodia, have heightened tensions. Additionally, incidents like Cambodian nationals singing their national anthem at disputed temples and controversial diplomatic exchanges, such as a leaked phone call involving Thailand’s prime minister, have contributed to the volatile atmosphere.

    In response to recent clashes, both countries pledged to pursue dialogue and de-escalation. Cambodia has sought international intervention by contacting the UN Security Council, accusing Thailand of unprovoked aggression, while Thailand insists they seek bilateral solutions and only after cessation of violence. Meanwhile, both nations continue to mobilize troops near the border amidst ongoing tensions.