Cambodia shut all border crossings with Thailand on Saturday following renewed clashes and Bangkok’s denial of US President Donald Trump’s claim that a ceasefire had been agreed.
The fighting, rooted in a long-running dispute over the two countries’ colonial-era border, has killed at least 25 people this week and displaced around half a million on both sides. Thailand’s defence ministry said four Thai soldiers were killed in border fighting on Saturday.
Phnom Penh announced it would immediately suspend all entry and exit at Cambodia–Thailand border crossings, as both sides traded blame for escalating violence. Trump said on Friday that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to halt fighting, but Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said no ceasefire was discussed during his call with the US president.
Despite previous ceasefire efforts brokered by the US, China and Malaysia, fighting has continued, with both countries accusing each other of attacks on civilians. Malaysia, which chairs ASEAN, urged both sides to cease hostilities and avoid further military action.
The fighting, rooted in a long-running dispute over the two countries’ colonial-era border, has killed at least 25 people this week and displaced around half a million on both sides. Thailand’s defence ministry said four Thai soldiers were killed in border fighting on Saturday.
Phnom Penh announced it would immediately suspend all entry and exit at Cambodia–Thailand border crossings, as both sides traded blame for escalating violence. Trump said on Friday that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to halt fighting, but Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said no ceasefire was discussed during his call with the US president.
Despite previous ceasefire efforts brokered by the US, China and Malaysia, fighting has continued, with both countries accusing each other of attacks on civilians. Malaysia, which chairs ASEAN, urged both sides to cease hostilities and avoid further military action.
