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Anwar brokers Thai-Cambodia ceasefire after deadly border clash, troops set to withdraw

Anwar brokers Thai-Cambodia ceasefire after deadly border clash, troops set to withdraw

Malay Mail4 days ago
JITRA, July 25 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to a ceasefire and to withdraw their troops from the border.
Anwar said both countries had agreed but requested some time, as their troops were already stationed at the border and needed time to pull back.
'Yesterday, I had a phone conversation with the acting Prime Minister of Thailand and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, because of Malaysia's position and their respect for us.
'I'm grateful because when I spoke with them, both responded respectfully. Why? Because Malaysia is a peaceful and stable country,' he said when addressing the 2025 Anti-Drug Day Celebration here today.
Yesterday, Bernama reported that the Prime Minister welcomed the positive signals and willingness shown by Bangkok and Phnom Penh in considering the implementation of a ceasefire to prevent further conflict.
Anwar was reported to have contacted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Thursday evening to convey Malaysia's concern over the escalating tensions.
Earlier, media reports stated that Thai and Cambodian troops clashed on Thursday in the disputed border area, with both sides blaming each other for initiating the latest confrontation.
Tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations have been escalating since May 28, following a deadly incident in the Preah Vihear area that claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier.
The two countries have been at odds for decades over their still-undemarcated 817-kilometre border, and the dispute continues to strain diplomatic relations. — Bernama
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Thai army accuses Cambodia of breaking truce
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Thai army accuses Cambodia of breaking truce

A view shows an empty street of Samraong, the capital of Oddar Meanchey province in Cambodia, July 28, 2025. An AFP journalist said the sound of blasts stopped in the 30 minutes leading up to midnight, with the lull continuing until dawn. -Reuters SURIN, Thailand: Thailand's army accused Cambodia Tuesday (July 29) of violating an hours-old truce, saying clashes continued despite a deal meant to end the bloody fighting that has engulfed their jungle-clad frontier. Following peace talks in Malaysia on Monday, both sides agreed an unconditional ceasefire would start at midnight to end fighting over a smattering of ancient temples in disputed zones along their 800-kilometre border. ALSO READ: Thai, Cambodian PMs welcome Malaysian-brokered peace "At the time the agreement took effect, the Thai side detected that Cambodian forces had launched armed attacks into several areas within Thai territory," said Thai army spokesman Winthai Suwaree. "This constitutes a deliberate violation of the agreement and a clear attempt to undermine mutual trust, he added in a statement. "Thailand is compelled to respond appropriately, exercising its legitimate right to self-defence." In Cambodia's Samraong city - 20 kilometres from the border - an AFP journalist said the sound of blasts stopped in the 30 minutes leading up to midnight, with the lull continuing until dawn. "The frontline has eased since the ceasefire at 12 midnight," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Tuesday morning message on Facebook. Jets, rockets and artillery have killed at least 38 people since last Thursday and displaced nearly 300,000 more - prompting intervention from US President Donald Trump over the weekend. The flare-up was the deadliest since violence raged sporadically from 2008-2011 over the territory, claimed by both because of a vague demarcation made by Cambodia's French colonial administrators in 1907. The peace deal was set to see military commanders from both sides meet at 07:00 am (0000 GMT), before a cross-border committee is convened in Cambodia to further salve tensions on August 4. "When I heard the news I was so happy because I miss my home and my belongings that I left behind," Phean Neth told AFP on Monday evening at a sprawling camp for Cambodian evacuees on a temple site away from the fighting. "I am so happy that I can't describe it," said the 45-year-old. A joint statement from both countries - as well as Malaysia which hosted the peace talks - said the ceasefire was "a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security". A spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement Monday evening that "he urges both countries to respect the agreement fully and to create an environment conducive to addressing long-standing issues and achieving lasting peace". Both sides are courting Trump for trade deals to avert his threat of eye-watering tariffs, and the US State Department said its officials had been "on the ground" to shepherd peace talks. The joint statement said China also had "active participation" in the talks, hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister and Asean bloc chair Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his country's administrative capital Putrajaya. Hun Manet thanked Trump for his "decisive" support, while his counterpart, Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, said it should be "carried out in good faith by both sides". "If they say they'll stop firing, they must stop completely," said 43-year-old Thai evacuee Prapakarn Samruamjit in the city of Surin. Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn marked his 73rd birthday on Monday, but a notice in the country's Royal Gazette said public celebrations scheduled for Bangkok's Grand Palace had been cancelled amid the strife. Each side had already agreed to a truce in principle, while accusing the other of undermining peace efforts and trading allegations about the use of cluster bombs and targeting of hospitals. Thailand says 11 of its soldiers and 14 civilians have been killed, while Cambodia has confirmed only eight civilian and five military deaths. More than 138,000 people have fled Thailand's border regions, while around 140,000 have been driven from their homes in Cambodia. - AFP

Anwar applauded by US for brokering Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire
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Anwar applauded by US for brokering Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire

Rubio said the US will remain committed to and engaged in the US-Malaysia-organised process to end the conflict. 29 Jul 2025 09:04am Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (C) looks on as Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (L) and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (R) take part in talks on a possible ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia in Putrajaya on July 28, 2025. Thailand and Cambodia's leaders are due to meet for peace talks on July 28, as a festering territorial dispute along their shared frontier dragged into a fifth day of open combat. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / POOL / AFP) KUALA LUMPUR - The United States (US) has commended Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership in brokering the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US applauds the ceasefire declaration between Cambodia and Thailand announced on Monday. Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (C), Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (L) and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (R) pose for photos as they shake hands following a press conference after talks on a possible ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia in Putrajaya on July 28, 2025. Thailand and Cambodia began discussing a ceasefire in their festering border dispute on July 28, as the deadly skirmish dragged into a fifth day. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / POOL / AFP) "We are grateful to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and for hosting the ceasefire talks,' he said in a statement released by the State Department late on Monday. Rubio urged Thailand and Cambodia to fully honour their commitments to end the conflict and prevent further escalation along their disputed border. "President Donald Trump and I are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honour their commitments to end this conflict.' Rubio said the US will remain committed to and engaged in the US-Malaysia-organised process to end the conflict. "We urge all parties to follow through on their commitments,' he added. Earlier, a special meeting, brokered by Anwar in his capacity as the current ASEAN Chair, was held at the official residence of the Malaysian prime minister - the Seri Perdana Complex - in Putrajaya. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai attended the special meeting, which began at 3 pm. This is their first face-to-face encounter since tensions erupted between the two neighbours on July 24. The meeting lasted nearly two and a half hours. Also in attendance were United States (US) Ambassador to Malaysia, Edgard Kagan, and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing. The US was a co-organiser of the meeting, while China was an observer to promote a peaceful resolution to the ongoing situation. At a joint press conference after the meeting, Anwar announced that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire amid rising tensions along their disputed border. The two Southeast Asian neighbours have a long history of diplomatic rows over an 817-kilometre undemarcated stretch of their shared border. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been simmering since May 28 following a skirmish between their troops near the disputed Preah Vihear border area, which claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier. - BERNAMA

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