...
By Robert Birsel
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will try again to stop fighting between Thailand and Cambodia after a ceasefire he helped broker in July collapsed this week.
Why It Matters
Trump claimed credit for a ceasefire on July 28 that ended five days of deadly fighting between the neighbors. The renewed clashes breach the two nations' peace agreement, a deal that Trump presided over on October 26 in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
Read More on World
While both countries maintain good relations with the United States and China, Thailand is a major non-NATO ally of Washington while China is particularly close to Cambodia, which has offered Beijing access to a naval base in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
...
What To Know
Trump, at a rally in Pennsylvania, listed the wars he said he has halted, when he mentioned the fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbors, which broke out again on the weekend.
"And I hate to say this, one named Cambodia-Thailand that started up today. Tomorrow, I’ll have to make a phone call," the U.S. president told the crowd.
"Who else could say, ‘I’m going to make a phone call and stop a war of two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia.’ They’re going at it again, but I’ll do it," he added.
Clashes continued for a third day on Wednesday across several parts of the disputed 500-mile border between the two countries. Both sides have blamed each other for the breakdown of the ceasefire.
Hours before Trump spoke of his intention to intervene again, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was concerned about the fighting and called for both sides to cease hostilities, protect civilians "and return to the de-escalatory measures outlined in the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords."
But hopes are not high for any imminent resumption of the peace process, even at the urging of the U.S. president.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had earlier ruled out negotiations or a role for Trump or other mediators in restoring the ceasefire. He said Thailand will take whatever military action it deems necessary to protect its sovereignty, while his military said the patience of the Thai people had run out and its forces aimed to neutralize the threat from Cambodian troops. Cambodia has called repeatedly for restoration of the ceasefire and says it is fighting to defend itself.
The long-standing dispute between the countries over their border, largely mapped by France when it ruled Cambodia, was reignited in May after an exchange of gunfire that killed a Cambodian soldier. This escalated into clashes in July before talks in Malaysia led to a ceasefire, for which Trump claimed credit, after he had threatened to impose heavy sanctions on both nations.
Thailand launched airstrikes on Cambodian military positions on Monday after a clash the previous day in which one Thai soldier was killed and eight were wounded. The Thai air force launched more airstrikes on what it said were Cambodian military positions on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.
The Cambodian defense ministry said the Thai assertion that the Cambodian side had started the fighting was false and it initially said its forces were not responding to the Thai attacks.
Four Thai soldiers have been reported killed since Sunday and at least 18 wounded. Cambodia has not released any information on military casualties, but has said nine civilians had been killed and about 20 wounded.
On Wednesday, Thailand said Cambodian forces had launched cross-border attacks with multiple-rocket launchers in several places, causing widespread damage in civilian areas. Cambodia said the Thai military launched airstrikes and fired heavy weapons into Cambodia.
The Thai military said more than 170,000 civilians had moved into shelters while Cambodia said more than 127,000 people had been displaced by the fighting on its side of the border.
The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) has announced the withdrawal of all Cambodian athletes from the Southeast Asian Games, now underway in Thailand, citing safety concerns amid the renewed fighting.
The games opened on December 9 and run until December 20.
What People Are Saying
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told media on Tuesday: "Diplomacy will work when the situation provides the space for diplomacy. I’m sorry to say that right now, we don’t have that space.
"We want the Cambodian side to show that they’re ready to stop what they’re doing, and then, of course, we can consider the prospect for diplomacy and negotiations."
Cambodia's defense ministry said in a statement: "Rather than resorting to acts of aggression or the use of force, Cambodia firmly adheres to resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, the existing treaties, conventions and agreements, so as to seek solution that is just, fair, long-lasting, and in compliance with the international law."
The Olympic Committee of Cambodia said in a statement on Wednesday: "Due to serious concerns and requests from the families of our athletes to have their relatives return home immediately, NOCC must withdraw all our delegation and arrange for their prompt return to Cambodia for safety reasons."
What Happens Next
The clashes show no sign of easing and it remains to be seen when and how Trump will intervene and what impact that might have.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines