On December 13, Cambodia welcomed a ceasefire proposal from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with Malaysia and the U.S. stepping up to ease escalating border tensions with Thailand. The proposed truce is set to take effect this evening at 10 p.m., monitored by an ASEAN observer team alongside U.S. participation.
In a social media post on Saturday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed support for the initiative, highlighting Cambodia's commitment to peace and dialogue under international law. The move aims to halt hostilities and protect civilians caught in the crossfire.
Earlier, Anwar Ibrahim said he had spoken separately with leaders in Bangkok and Phnom Penh to convey Malaysia's serious concern over the clashes. He urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any military action once the ceasefire begins.
As chair of ASEAN, Malaysia will convene a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting soon to assess the situation and reinforce de-escalation efforts. Anwar also disclosed a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which they discussed the border conflict, bilateral ties and broader global challenges.
Despite diplomatic advances, the security situation on the ground has deteriorated. Thai media reported that two Royal Thai Air Force F-16 jets carried out strikes near the Cambodian border, hitting civilian infrastructure.
Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra said the airstrikes targeted a hotel and two bridges near the Thmor Da checkpoint in Veal Veng District, Pursat Province. He accused Thai forces of expanding attacks to include residential villages and vital civilian structures.
According to official figures, the operations have caused 11 civilian deaths and 59 injuries as of Friday. Across five border provinces, nearly 89,700 families – more than 303,000 people – have been displaced by the fighting.
Pheaktra called on Thailand to immediately cease military actions against Cambodia's civilian infrastructure, reiterating Phnom Penh's dedication to peaceful resolution and regional stability.
Last Friday, Hun Manet and Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul both spoke with President Trump. Trump later claimed the two leaders had agreed to a ceasefire effective that evening, a statement denied by the Thai side.
In a social media post on Saturday, Anutin said Thailand would continue operations until its territory and people were no longer under threat, underscoring the fragility of the situation.
Clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border have intensified since December 7, with heavy shelling reported in multiple areas. Both sides accuse the other of firing first, reigniting tensions after a July flare-up that injured hundreds and displaced over 100,000 residents.
Earlier this year, in August, the two countries agreed to a ceasefire at a Joint Boundary Commission meeting in Kuala Lumpur. They also signed a joint peace statement on October 26, on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit, but efforts to sustain calm have faltered in recent weeks.
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Cambodia welcomes ceasefire proposal as Malaysia, U.S. mediate
cgtn.com
