Leaders of Thailand and Cambodia agree to renew ceasefire, says Donald Trump

“They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim,” Trump said.

Following the five-day border clashes in July, Malaysia, with the help of the US had brokered a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia.

It was further ratified by the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia in October. The Joint Declaration by the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand, also called the Kuala Lumpur Accord was signed in the presence of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Trump.

However, the fragile ceasefire broke down this week, with both blaming the other for reigniting the conflict. Border clashes have killed at least 20 people, with more than 260 wounded, according to tallies by both countries.

In his social media post, Trump blamed Thailand for the latest round of clashes.

“The roadside bomb that originally killed and wounded numerous Thai Soldiers was an accident, but Thailand nevertheless retaliated very strongly,” Trump said.

The US President further said that both countries are now read for peace and continued trade with the United States.

“I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, for his assistance in this very important matter,” he said.

Trump’s post contradicts the claims made by Thai Premier Anutin hours earlier, who made no mention of an agreement to end the fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours.

Anutin said he had asked Trump to urge Cambodia to cease hostilities and remove landmines.

“I explained to President Trump that we are not the aggressor against Cambodia but we are retaliating,” Anutin told reporters.

“He wants a ceasefire. I told him to tell our friends – don’t just say a ceasefire but they must tell the world that Cambodia will cease fire, withdraw its troops, and remove all landmines it has planted. They must show us first.”

Cambodia and Thailand have been firing rockets and artillery at several points along their disputed 817-km border, in some of the heaviest fighting since a five-day clash in July.

Thailand has deployed jet fighters to carry out airstrikes on what it says are military targets. Cambodia has deployed BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of 30-40 kilometers.

The fighting is rooted in a history of enmity over competing territorial claims. These claims largely stem from a 1907 map created while Cambodia was under French colonial rule, which Thailand maintains is inaccurate.

Tensions were exacerbated by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded sovereignty to Cambodia, which still riles many Thais.