Thailand, Cambodian leaders agree to renew truce after days of deadly clashes, Trump says
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday that Thai and Cambodian leaders have agreed to renew a truce after days of deadly clashes had threatened to undo a ceasefire the U.S.administration had helped broker earlier this year.Trump announced the agreement to restart the ceasefire in a social media posting following calls with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.“They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim,” Trump said in his Truth Social posting.Trump, a Republican, said that Ibrahim played an important role in helping him push Thailand and Cambodia to once again agree to stop fighting.“It is my Honor to work with Anutin and Hun in resolving what could have evolved into a major War between two otherwise wonderful and prosperous Countries!” Trump added.The original ceasefire in July was brokered by Malaysia and pushed through by pressure from Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges unless Thailand and Cambodia agreed.
It was formalized in more detail in October at a regional meeting in Malaysia that Trump attended.Despite the deal, the two countries carried on a bitter propaganda war, and minor cross-border violence continued.The roots of the Thai-Cambodian border conflict lie in a history of enmity over competing territorial claims.These claims largely stem from a 1907 map created while Cambodia was under French colonial rule, which Thailand maintains is inaccurate.
Tensions were exacerbated by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded sovereignty to Cambodia, which still riles many Thais.Thailand has deployed jet fighters to carry out airstrikes on what it says are military targets.Cambodia has deployed BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of 30-40 kilometers (19-25 miles).
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