Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, mediated by Malaysia, after five days of ongoing conflict. Anwar Ibrahim stated it would take effect from midnight.
Ceasefire: The border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which has been ongoing for the past five days, now appears to be subsiding. Both countries have agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire following high-level talks in Malaysia. This decision was reached through the mediation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who hosted the leaders of both countries in the Malaysian capital.
Anwar Ibrahim Played a Decisive Role
At a press conference, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the ceasefire between the two countries would come into effect from midnight on Thursday. He stated that the agreement is completely "unconditional" and aims to prevent further loss of life and property. Anwar described the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict as serious and expressed hope that the situation would now be brought under control.
China and the United States Offered Mediation
China and the United States also played a role in efforts to de-escalate this regional crisis. Both countries offered to assist in the talks. Representatives from China and the United States provided their diplomatic assistance to the ongoing discussions in Malaysia. This move is a clear indication that major powers are also seriously striving to maintain stability in Asian geopolitics.
Reaction of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet described the talks as "excellent and constructive." He said that the conflict had resulted in the deaths of many innocent people, displaced thousands, and adversely affected economic activities. He also thanked the United States and China for their cooperation in the talks and reiterated his commitment to advancing this peace effort.
Positive Attitude from Thailand
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai of Thailand welcomed the ceasefire decision. He expressed confidence that both sides would implement the ceasefire in good faith and that this agreement would form the basis for lasting peace in the future. He also said that dialogue is the best option for resolving the border dispute.
Trump's Warning Became a Cause of Pressure
A significant turning point in this whole episode came when Donald Trump called both leaders and delivered a stern message. He clearly warned that the United States would not consider any trade deals or investments until Thailand and Cambodia resolve their differences. Trump's warning proved effective on both countries and accelerated the pace of negotiations.
What Was the Reason Behind the Clashes?
In the last week of May, a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border clash, which led to a peak in tensions between the two countries. This dispute relates to the long-standing border demarcation issue, which has led to clashes between the two sides on several occasions. However, this time the situation appeared to be spiraling out of control, which has now been successfully prevented.
