Rubio says US officials are in Malaysia to help in Cambodia-Thailand talks, World News
President Donald Trump and Rubio were engaged with their counterparts for each country and were monitoring the situation very closely, Rubio said in a statement released by the State Department late on Sunday in the US and early Monday in Asia. Key quotes
"We want this conflict to end as soon as possible," he said. "State Department officials are on the ground in Malaysia to assist these peace efforts." Why it's important
The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia were scheduled to attend mediation talks over their deadly border conflict in Malaysia on Monday, the Thai government said, as both sides accused each other of launching fresh artillery strikes across contested areas.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have intensified since the late-May killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief border skirmish. Border troops on both sides were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse.
Hostilities resumed on Thursday and, within just four days, escalated into the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in more than a decade. Context
The death toll has risen above 30, including 13 civilians in Thailand and eight in Cambodia, while authorities report that more than 200,000 people have been evacuated from border areas.
Trump said on Sunday he believed both Thailand and Cambodia wanted to settle their differences after he told the leaders of both countries that he would not conclude trade deals with them unless they ended their fighting.
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Straits Times
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- Straits Times
Thailand sees US offering ‘very good' trade deal after ceasefire
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Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Ceasefire takes effect between Thailand and Cambodia after five-day border battle
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Civilians, displaced amidst clashes, gather at a makeshift camp in the Oddar Meanchey province, northwest of Cambodia, on July 26. BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH - A ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand came into effect at midnight on July 28, hours after they agreed to halt their deadliest conflict in more than a decade following five days of intense fighting that displaced over 300,000 people. After efforts by Malaysia, chair of the Asean regional bloc, the United States and China to bring both sides to the table, the two countries' leaders agreed during talks in Putrajaya to end hostilities, resume direct communications and create a mechanism to implement the ceasefire. 'This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security,' Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim earlier told a press conference, flanked by the Thai and Cambodian leaders, following more than two hours of talks at his residence in Putrajaya, Malaysia. At least 38 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in clashes in multiple locations along their 800km border since fighting between the two South-east Asian neighbours erupted on July 24. There were no official reports of unrest from either side in the hours leading up to the ceasefire taking effect. The truce talks followed a sustained peace push by Mr Anwar and US President Donald Trump's phone calls to both leaders at the weekend, where he said he would not conclude trade deals with them if fighting continued. Both sides face a tariff of 36 per cent on their goods in the US, their biggest export market. 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I have now ended many Wars in just six months – I am proud to be the President of PEACE!' he said. Decades of disputes The two countries have wrangled for decades over border territory and have been on a conflict footing since the killing of a Cambodian soldier in a skirmish late in May, which led to a troop buildup on both sides and a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. They accuse each other of starting the fighting last week that within hours escalated from small arms fire to heavy artillery and rockets and Thailand's unexpected scrambling of an F-16 fighter jet to carry out airstrikes. Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayacha praised Mr Trump for pushing the peace effort and said trade negotiations would start from a good place. 'I thanked him from my heart for what we received from him and helped our country move beyond this crisis,' he told reporters on his return from Malaysia after speaking to Mr Trump. 'After today the situation should de-escalate.' Simmering tensions boiled over last week after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia's envoy, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged Cambodian troops had laid. Cambodia has strongly denied the charge, as well as Thai accusations that it has fired at civilian targets including schools and hospitals. It had accused Thailand of 'unprovoked and premeditated military aggression'. 'Decisive mediation' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement said he and Mr Trump expected all sides to 'fully honour their commitments to end this conflict'. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said his Thai counterpart had played a positive role and he deeply appreciated Mr Trump's 'decisive mediation' and China's constructive participation. In social media posts, Mr Hun Manet said he had returned to Cambodia 'with brilliant results' and had spoken with Mr Trump, who expressed a desire for lasting peace. The fighting has scarred border communities on both sides. In Thailand's Sisaket province, a house was reduced to splintered wood and twisted beams after it was struck by artillery fire from Cambodia. The roof had caved in, windows hung by the frame and power lines drooped over the structure. Amid the din of occasional artillery fire, homes and shops remained shut and a four-lane road was deserted except for a few cars and military vehicles. Dozens of displaced residents lined up quietly for their evening meal at an evacuation centre about 40km away from the frontlines. A few children played with dogs, others swept the dusty floor. Fifty-four-year-old Nong Ngarmsri just wanted to go back to her village. 'I want to go to my children who stayed back,' she said. 'I want them to cease firing so that I can go home.' REUTERS
Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Straits Times
Truce between Cambodia and Thailand secured under Asean chair Malaysia, but can it hold?
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Deal reflects Asean's reliance on external pressure and proactive chairmanship rather than robust institutional mechanisms, say observers. (From left) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai after a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 28. SINGAPORE – Asean notched a diplomatic win on July 28, with chair Malaysia securing a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia after deadly border clashes left more than 30 dead and raised fears of further escalation. The breakthrough, announced after a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is victory for the grouping, whose relevance has been increasingly questioned amid inaction on other regional challenges. But observers say that whether this will translate into lasting peace remains far from certain. The conflict had simmered since May, with deadly clashes erupting since July 24 t hat killed over 30 people, mostly civilians. Just hours before the ceasefire took effect at midnight on July 29, diplomatic pressure intensified, led by Malaysia and strongly backed by both the United States and China. The t alks were hastened after US President Donald Trump warned on July 27 that Washington would not pursue trade deals with either side until the violence stopped. Both Thailand and Cambodia face the prospect of a 36 per cent US tariff from Aug 1. China also played an active role. Beijing on July 24 expressed concern over the fighting and pledged to promote dialogue, de-escalation and peace. Both the US and China were present at the July 28 meeting, which Malaysia said was co-organised by Washington, with Beijing's active participation. Analysts say the agreement reflects a successful case of Asean-led diplomacy, but also highlights the grouping's reliance on external pressure and proactive chairmanship rather than robust institutional mechanisms. Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst at business consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore, said that the ceasefire can be billed an Asean success. 'Malaysia's leadership was crucial as the organisation's chair to mediate between Thailand and Cambodia, while also leveraging on the importance of China and the US, both dialogue partners of Asean, to further reaffirm that this ceasefire can be brought into fruition,' he said. Under the agreement, both sides committed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The peace roadmap also includes informal meetings between military commanders, and a g eneral b order c ommittee session scheduled for Aug 4. Malaysia, in its capacity as Asean chair, offered to coordinate an observer team and consult fellow member states about participating, a move aimed at providing regional support for verification. But experts caution that implementation may prove difficult, given the grouping's lack of enforcement tools. 'A ceasefire is an immediate and very short-term solution. What is more important is for the ceasefire to hold in the long run while Cambodia and Thailand negotiate their border disputes,' said Dr Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow at the Lowy Institute think-tank. 'One possible mechanism is the deployment of Malaysia n or Asean observers along the Thai-Cambodia border. This is critical, given the strategic mistrust between (the two sides).' Observers note that Asean lacks a standing peacekeeping force or formal verification tools. Previous attempts to introduce monitoring mechanisms, such as Indonesia's proposal to send observers during the 2011 Preah Vihear clashes, were rejected, primarily over sovereignty concerns. That earlier conflict between Cambodia and Thailand also ended in a ceasefire, but tensions persisted for years. 'The biggest risks lie in lingering distrust and potential miscommunication along contested border areas, and the absence of any formal verification mechanism,' said Ms Joanne Lin, senior fellow at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. 'Asean does not have institutional tools like independent observers or peace monitors to oversee implementation on the ground.' These limitations raise broader questions about how Asean handles internal conflict. Some experts warn that without follow-up action, the grouping may revert to inaction once the immediate crisis fades. 'The outcome was driven largely by Malaysia's personal diplomacy and strong external pressure, rather than any institutional mechanism within Asean,' said Ms Lin, referring to the ceasefire. 'Without efforts to institutionalise these crisis response lessons, the group risks falling back into passivity.' Dr Rahman echoed this, saying the group has the capacity to maintain peace – if political will exists. But he added that an Asean-led ceasefire is more acceptable than one imposed by external powers, and said the grouping has provided its two conflicting members with a familiar platform to discuss a ceasefire and resolve the crisis. Others also framed the breakthrough as a significant win for Malaysia's diplomacy. Mr Adib Zalkapli, managing director of geopolitical consultancy Viewfinder Global Affairs, said that it showed how Malaysia can step up and play an important role in maintaining peace in the region. Domestically, the deal may also offer a brief political boost to Datuk Seri Anwar. 'Anwar of course scores some brownie points in brokering this peace that could potentially offset some of his domestic political troubles,' said Dr Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at think-tank Singapore Institute of International Affairs. Still, observers agree the coming weeks will determine whether the ceasefire holds and whether Asean can rise to the challenge of sustaining peace. 'While holding the talks can be seen as a success, there will not be easy solutions to this long-standing issue,' said Dr Bridget Welsh, honorary research associate at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia. For a group long criticised for its inaction on crises like Myanmar and the South China Sea, the truce offers a chance to prove its relevance and if it can maintain the momentum. 'The real test now lies in verifying the ceasefire and whether Asean can follow through with implementing its own peace mechanisms,' said Ms Lin. The ceasefire, as much of a win as it is, is a fragile one because ground realities suggest that it could readily break down, said Dr Mustafa. 'So it is incumbent on the political leaderships of both Cambodia and Thailand to maintain the ceasefire by not succumbing to domestic political pressures, and on Malaysia as the honest broker to remind both countries about their bilateral obligations in keeping the peace,' he said.
