Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Thailand and Cambodia have consented to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire, marking a critical step toward de-escalating recent deadly border clashes.
The agreement was reached during ceasefire negotiations held Monday at Anwar’s official residence in Putrajaya, Malaysia’s administrative capital. The meeting brought together Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The high-stakes talks, convened by Anwar, came in response to intensifying violence that has claimed the lives of at least 35 individuals and forced more than 270,000 people to flee from both sides of the Thailand-Cambodia border.
Adding weight to the discussions, the ambassadors of the United States and China were in attendance.
According to Anwar, both governments agreed to enforce the ceasefire starting at midnight (1200 GMT) on July 28. He also noted that military commanders from the two nations are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to further solidify the truce and discuss next steps.