Thailand, Cambodia agree to 'immediate and unconditional' ceasefire

After days of hostilities, Thailand and Cambodia on Mondya agreed to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire starting midnight to resolve deadly border clashes.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Monday that both the countries have reached a common understanding to take steps to return to normalcy. Ibrahim had chaired the talks as head of the ASEAN regional bloc.

In a joint statement, Ibrahim said that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai have agreed to “an immediate and unconditional ceasefire with effect from... midnight of 28 July".

Hun Manet and Phuntam hailed the outcome of the meeting and shook hands at the conclusion of the brief press conference.

The conflict between the countries erupted from a long-standing border dispute, with clashes breaking out along multiple points of their 817km boundary.

The violence escalated after a mine explosion wounded Thai soldiers, leading to artillery exchanges, airstrikes by Thai F-16 jets, and fierce ground combat involving tanks and rocket launchers.

Each side accused the other of initiating hostilities and targeting civilian areas, leading to heavy casualties.