Thailand and Cambodia to Hold Ceasefire Talks Amid Ongoing Border Conflict
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Thailand‘s Ministry of Defense announced that a border committee meeting with Cambodia will take place on Saturday, December 27, to negotiate a ceasefire between the two nations. Preliminary talks at the secretariat level are scheduled from December 24 to 26.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has expressed support for the ceasefire negotiations. A special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers was held in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, December 22, where both conflicting parties were urged to seek reconciliation.
The border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, which began on December 7, have involved tanks, drones, and heavy artillery. On December 8, Thailand’s air force targeted Cambodian military infrastructure. Both sides accuse each other of initiating hostilities and attacking civilians. Diplomatic efforts by the U.S., China, and Malaysia to broker a ceasefire have so far failed, with fighting continuing unabated.
The conflict has resulted in at least 19 Cambodian and 22 Thai casualties to date.
