Rubio called for the “immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and for both sides to return to the de-escalatory measures outlined in the October 26 Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords”
The US State Department urged Cambodian and Thai forces to halt their clashes, warning that renewed fighting is jeopardising a ceasefire brokered earlier this year with support from President Trump.
In a Monday press statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is “concerned” by the escalating violence. Hostilities resumed Sunday after an incident that left two Thai soldiers wounded, prompting tens of thousands of civilians to flee the border region.
Rubio called for the “immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and for both sides to return to the de-escalatory measures outlined in the October 26 Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords,” which were signed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
The agreement, reached with pressure from Trump, who threatened to suspend trade privileges for both nations, was also backed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, which have flared for centuries, spiked again in July over disputed territory. The five-day confrontation left dozens dead on both sides and forced more than 100,000 civilians to evacuate border areas.
On Tuesday, Charnvirakul said his government “will support all kinds of military operations as planned earlier,” insisting such actions are necessary to defend Thailand’s sovereignty and security.
Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, now Senate president and father of the current prime minister, said on Telegram that Cambodia “firmly adheres to resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law.”
Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia spread to more parts of their contested border on Tuesday, forcing a mass exodus of civilians as the renewed hostilities derailed a US-brokered truce.
At least 10 soldiers and civilians have been killed on both sides in the latest spate of fighting, officials said, while more than 140,000 civilians have fled the areas near where jets, tanks and drones were waging battle.
The Thai army said three soldiers have been killed and 29 wounded since Monday, while Cambodia’s defence ministry said seven of its civilians have been killed and about 20 wounded.
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