SRINAGAR: US President Donald Trump on late Saturday announced that Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to engage in immediate ceasefire negotiations following several days of deadly border clashes, according to Reuters.
In a series of posts on his platform, Truth Social, Trump stated that he had spoken with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and planned to call Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. “We do not want to make any (trade) deal with either country if they are fighting, and I have told them so!” Trump wrote.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry as per AP, later confirmed the conversation and reaffirmed its willingness to begin “immediate dialogue” aimed at enforcing a ceasefire.
Besides, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed “deep concern” over the escalating violence and offered to mediate. “I am deeply concerned about the recent armed clashes… I remain available to assist in efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the dispute,” Guterres posted on X.
Despite several statements signaling a commitment to peace, hostilities resumed early Sunday when Cambodian troops reportedly opened fire on Thai forces near the Ta Kwai temple in Thailand’s Surin province.
Meanwhile, so far in both countries, at least 34 people have been killed in the clashes, which have erupted in 12 locations along the disputed border areas. The casualties include 14 civilians and 7 soldiers from Thailand, and 8 civilians and 5 soldiers from Cambodia.
