Thailand and Cambodia reached a new peace agreement that took effect on Saturday after the previous ceasefire, pushed by President Donald Trump and signed in Malaysia, broke down.
Border fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces erupted earlier this month when both sides accused the other of violating the Trump-pushed ceasefire. The warring nations are now recommitting themselves to an immediate ceasefire.
If the ceasefire holds for 72 hours without any fighting, Thailand will release 18 Cambodian soldiers that have been held captive since July. The new agreement also stipulates that both sides stop using land mines along their shared border and “refrain from disseminating false information or fake news.” A bitter propaganda war stoked tensions between the two countries, leading to the reignited conflict.
TRUMP FIRST YEAR REPORT CARD: A- PROMISE KEEPER OR ‘NIGHTMARE’ FAILURE
“The ceasefire will be monitored and observed for 72 hours to confirm that it is real and continuous,” Thai Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit told reporters after the signing. “Once the situation stabilizes, civilians will be able to safely return to their homes.”
Hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced from their homes in both countries when border skirmishes broke out for the second time this year.
“Today’s ceasefire also paves the way for the displaced people who are living in the border areas to be able to return to their homes, work in the fields, and even allow their children to be able to return to schools and resume their studies,” Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha said.
Dozens of civilians died during the second round of fighting. Thailand said it lost 45 civilians and 26 soldiers since Dec. 7, while Cambodia said some 30 civilians were killed and another 90 were injured.
Saturday’s signing ceremony ended the fighting for now. A Thai official framed the new agreement as a test of sincerity for Cambodia.
“If the ceasefire does not materialize, this would indicate a lack of sincerity on the Cambodian side to create sure peace,” Thai Defense Ministry spokesman Surasant Kongsiri said. “Therefore, the 72-hour ceasefire beginning today is not an act of trust nor unconditional acceptance but a time frame to tangibly prove whether Cambodia can truly cease the use of weapons, provocations, and threats in the area.”
Trump was notably absent from the latest peace talks. In July, he leveraged threats of trade restrictions to get both sides to come to the negotiating table to resolve the conflict. The formal peace deal was later signed in October.
TRUMP SETS HIS SIGHTS ON PEACE PROGRESS IN THE NEW YEAR WITH NETANYAHU AND ZELENSKY MEETINGS
Malaysia brokered the initial ceasefire. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed optimism for the new agreement, saying it “reflects a shared recognition that restraint is required, above all in the interest of civilians.”
Earlier this month, Trump claimed responsibility for brokering a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia after speaking with their respective prime ministers. The cessation in fighting didn’t last very long, with Cambodia accusing Thailand of deploying airstrikes on parts of the border hours later. Reports indicate that Thailand launched airstrikes after Cambodia fired rockets and artillery.