Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who brokered the talks in Kuala Lumpur alongside his Thai and Cambodian counterparts, described the deal as “a vital first step to a de-escalation and a restoration of peace and security”. Hostilities are expected to cease by midnight

By Titilope Adaku

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” after five days of intense fighting at their border left at least 33 people dead and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who brokered the talks in Kuala Lumpur alongside his Thai and Cambodian counterparts, described the deal as “a vital first step to a de-escalation and a restoration of peace and security”. Hostilities are expected to cease by midnight.

Thailand had initially rejected Malaysia’s mediation offer but reversed its position after US President Donald Trump warned that trade talks with Washington would be suspended until “fighting STOPS”. Both countries rely heavily on exports to the US and face a 36% tariff without a deal, compared with Vietnam and Indonesia, whose tariffs have been cut to 20% or less.

The conflict stems from a long-standing border dispute, which flared in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash. Relations worsened after a Thai soldier lost his leg in a landmine explosion last week, prompting Thailand to shut some border crossings, expel Cambodia’s ambassador and recall its own.

The fighting, which included heavy artillery and rocket attacks, has been particularly deadly for civilians. Thailand says most of its casualties were villagers struck by rockets, while Cambodia reported 13 deaths, including eight civilians.

Despite the ceasefire agreement, artillery and rocket fire continued during Monday’s negotiations. Both sides must now pull back their heavily reinforced troops and agree to independent monitoring to prevent further clashes.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the meeting had been “very good” and expressed hope that it would stop the bloodshed, while acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai pledged to honour the ceasefire.

Nearly 140,000 civilians have been evacuated from seven Thai provinces, according to the Thai military, while Cambodian officials reported relocating about 135,000 people from border areas.

Older Cambodian evacuees compared the shelling to bombardments during the 1980s civil war, with one 75-year-old woman saying she still felt unsafe in a shelter because of Thai drones flying overhead.

Maintaining peace will be challenging amid deep mistrust between the two armies and growing nationalist sentiments, particularly after the use of multiple rocket launchers on Thursday dramatically escalated the conflict.

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