In brief
Thailand and Cambodia's defense ministers announced a ceasefire following a series of clashes that began earlier this month, leading to at least 41 fatalities and nearly a million displaced. The ceasefire, effective immediately, seeks to halt troop movements and allow civilians to return home. The agreement will also include the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers and outlines steps to avoid attacks on civilians and military objectives. This represents a continued effort to de-escalate long-standing tensions between the two nations.
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, the defense ministers of the two countries said in a joint statement on Saturday.
Both sides have agreed to freeze all troop movements and allow civilians living in border areas to return home, halting weeks of intense border clashes that have killed at least 41 people and displaced almost a million people.
The ceasefire took effect at noon local time (05:00 GMT). Once it has held for 72 hours, 18 Cambodian soldiers held by Thailand will also be released, the statement said.
The breakthrough came after Thai and Cambodian officials held several days of talks aimed at ending fresh fighting between the two countries.
The joint statement outlines the terms of de-escalation, which includes ceasing attacks on civilians, civilian objects and infrastructures, and military objectives of either side.
Both sides must avoid unprovoked firing or advancement or movement of troops towards the other side's positions or troops, the statement said.
The statement also noted that the release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers held by Thailand would be conducted in the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, an agreement signed in October.
That earlier ceasefire agreement was broken when fresh clashes erupted earlier this month, with both sides blaming each other for the breakdown.
Clashes have continued throughout December, including air strikes carried out by Thailand on a disputed region in Cambodia.
Border disputes date back over a century; tensions escalated after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash in May, leading to significant casualties among both military and civilians.
