What we know about the Thailand–Cambodia ceasefire brokered by Malaysia: summary

What we know

• Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire to resolve deadly border clashes.
• The ceasefire proposal was made on Friday, July 25, by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs ASEAN.
• Ceasefire talks were held on Monday at Anwar’s official residence in Putrajaya, attended by Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
• At least 35 people have been killed and over 270,000 displaced due to the conflict along the Thailand–Cambodia border.
• The conflict stemmed from a territorial dispute dating back to the 1900s. Things escalated last Thursday after clashes, involving small arms fire, artillery exchanges, and reported Thai airstrikes, erupted near the disputed Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple along the border. 
• U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that both leaders had agreed to work toward a ceasefire.
• The ambassadors of the United States and China were present at the talks, and both countries were said to be in close contact with the regional leaders.
• Anwar confirmed the ceasefire will take effect at midnight (17:00 GMT) on Monday, with military commanders from both sides scheduled to meet on Tuesday.

What they said

“We have seen very positive development and results that would augur well for Cambodia and Thailand,” Anwar said as he stood alongside the two leaders. He added, “This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security.” Hun Manet said he had “a very good meeting and very good result that we hope to stop immediately the fighting that have caused many lives lost.” He also praised Trump’s “decisive” role in facilitating the talks and expressed hope that the agreement would lead to the “rebuilding of trust and confidence” between the two nations. Phumtham, who had previously expressed scepticism about Cambodia’s sincerity, said the ceasefire would “be carried out successfully in good faith by both sides.”