Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following weeks of deadly clashes along their shared border, raising hopes of a gradual easing of tensions and the return of displaced civilians, KIRIPOST reports.
The agreement was reached early on December 27 during a special meeting of the General Border Committee, bringing together senior military and defence officials from both sides. Under the 16-point arrangement, hostilities were to stop from midday local time, with the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers expected after 72 hours, provided the truce holds. The soldiers have been detained since fighting first flared in July.
While both governments committed to halting military operations, existing troop deployments will remain in place for now, KIRIPOST added. However, neither side will advance forces, conduct patrols into contested areas or undertake actions that could be seen as provocative. Air operations, unprovoked firing and any movement that risks escalation have been explicitly ruled out under the agreement.
The ceasefire applies across all areas and covers the use of all types of weapon. According to the report, both sides have also agreed to avoid actions that could further endanger civilians or damage civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools and public facilities. Any construction or reinforcement of military positions beyond existing lines has been suspended.
Attention has now turned to humanitarian concerns reports from the region say. Civilians displaced by the fighting will be allowed to return to their homes as soon as conditions permit, with assurances of safety and dignity. More than 1mn people on both sides of the border are estimated to have been forced to flee since the conflict erupted earlier this month.
The latest fighting, which began on December 7 following landmine explosions that injured Thai patrols, has exacted a heavy toll. Cambodian authorities report dozens of civilian deaths and scores of injuries, while Thailand has confirmed significant military and civilian casualties of its own.
The agreement, however, leaves unresolved the long-running dispute over border demarcation. Both governments have nonetheless committed to resuming the work of the Joint Boundary Commission, including survey and demarcation activities under existing bilateral frameworks and measures to ensure the safety of survey teams, particularly in areas affected by landmines, will form part of this effort.
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