Cambodia and Thailand agree to immediate ceasefire

Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, announced at the conclusion of the talks—held at his official residence under the supervision of both countries’ prime ministers—that the parties had agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and had reached an understanding on steps toward returning to normalcy.

While reading the joint statement issued following the talks, Anwar Ibrahim said that Hun Manet, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and Phumtham Wechayachai, Thailand’s interim Prime Minister, “agreed to implement an unconditional and immediate ceasefire starting at midnight on July 28.”

The clashes between Cambodia and Thailand began on Thursday after a landmine explosion at the border wounded five Thai soldiers.

Both sides blame each other for initiating the conflict, which has left 35 people dead and displaced over 260,000 others.

The two countries recalled their ambassadors, and Thailand also closed its border crossings with Cambodia.

According to Reuters, the negotiations were held after U.S. President Donald Trump warned the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia that continued hostilities would reduce their chances of securing a trade agreement with the United States.