Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” starting at midnight local time Monday.

The ceasefire follows five days of fighting along their disputed border that resulted in dozens of deaths.

“Both Cambodia and Thailand reached a common understanding,” said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who mediated peace talks as the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“This is a vital first step toward a de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security,” Ibrahim added.

According to Bloomberg, envoys from Washington and Beijing were also in attendance.

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However, their roles weren’t clear.

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In a joint statement issued after the talks, the three nations said their foreign ministers and defense ministers “have been instructed to develop a detailed mechanism for the implementation, verification, and reporting of the ceasefire. This mechanism will serve as a foundation for sustained peace and accountability.”

The two sides also agreed to move ahead with a meeting of their so-called General Border Committee on Aug. 4 in Cambodia.

The talks were the first formal dialogue since fresh clashes erupted on July 24, which displaced more than 150,000 civilians on both sides of their 800-kilometer (500-mile) border. Tensions escalated rapidly over the weekend and into Monday as heavy artillery fire and aerial strikes were reported, and both sides accused each other of targeting civilian areas.

The ceasefire follows President Trump speaking with the leaders of both nations.

Trump said he would not move forward with trade agreements with either country while the conflict continues.

President Trump Says Two Nations In Conflict Both Looking For “Immediate Ceasefire And Peace”

“Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand. I am calling the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, right now, to likewise request a Ceasefire, and END to the War, which is currently raging. We happen to be, by coincidence, currently dealing on Trade with both Countries, but do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting — And I have told them so!” Trump previously said.

“The call with Thailand is being made momentarily. The call with Cambodia has ended, but expect to call back regarding War stoppage and Ceasefire based on what Thailand has to say. I am trying to simplify a complex situation! Many people are being killed in this War, but it very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan and India, which was brought to a successful halt,” he continued.

“I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation. Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE. I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia. After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!” Trump added.

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"That was going to be a very bad war," Trump said Monday.

"That could've gone on for years. Millions of people could've been killed. We ended the war — and we're very happy about it," he continued.

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“This is an important step towards reducing tensions and restoring peace and security,” Hun Manet said in a statement confirming the ceasefire, in which he thanked the Malaysian prime minister, the Chinese government and Donald Trump specifically for their support in the negotiation process.

He also announced that the two countries will establish a Cambodian-Thai General Boundary Committee, which will hold an initial meeting on August 4, hosted by Cambodia.

“Today’s outcome reflects Thailand’s desire for a peaceful resolution, while continuing to protect our sovereignty and the lives of our people,” Phumtham said in the news conference. “We agreed to a ceasefire that will be carried out in good faith by both sides.”

Malaysia is prepared to deploy a team to “ensure implementation and observation” of the ceasefire, Ibrahim said, adding that both Thailand and Cambodia will resume direct communication at the level of prime ministers, foreign ministers and defense ministers.

In recent decades, Thailand and Cambodia have had a complicated relationship of both cooperation and rivalry. The two countries share a 500-mile (800-kilometer) land border – largely mapped by the French when they controlled Cambodia as a colony – that has periodically seen military clashes.

Recent tension had been simmering since an encounter in May, in which a Cambodian soldier was killed.

 

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