The United States on Monday welcomed a ceasefire declaration between Cambodia and Thailand after days of fighting on the countries’ border.
“The United States welcomes the ceasefire declaration between Cambodia and Thailand announced today in Kuala Lumpur,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, adding that Washington helped organise the talks along with Malaysia.
“President Trump and I are committed to an immediate end to the violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honour their commitments to end this conflict,” he added.
Washington called on all parties to honour their commitments.
The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia agreed on a ceasefire at talks in Malaysia’s administrative centre Putrajaya on July 28. The agreement should put an end to the fighting that began in the border regions on 24 July. The escalation of the long-running conflict has led to the deaths of several dozen people.
Armed conflict erupted last week between the two Southeast Asian nations over border disputes. Both armies used armoured vehicles, multiple rocket launchers and aircraft. Despite the talks, fighting continued for a fifth consecutive day on 28 July.
The US was also involved in organising the meeting. President Donald Trump spoke by phone with the leaders of both countries over the weekend.
Both countries blamed each other for the escalation. The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia over border areas and the Buddhist sacred temples located there has been going on for more than a century and has led to more than 10 wars.