US urges Cambodia, Thailand to cease fighting, enforce peace accords
In an official statement, US authorities stressed the need for immediate de-escalation, calling on both sides to pull back military hardware and comply with commitments aimed at stabilizing the frontier.
"The United States continues to call on Cambodia and Thailand to end hostilities, withdraw heavy weapons, cease emplacement of landmines, and fully implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, which include mechanisms to accelerate humanitarian demining and address border issues," the State Department said in a statement.
The statement also welcomed plans for regional diplomatic engagement, noting that ASEAN foreign ministers are set to convene on Monday to help reinforce obligations undertaken by both countries.
It expressed support for the upcoming meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers, which is expected "to support Cambodia and Thailand fully honoring their commitments to end this conflict."
As stated by reports, Cambodia and Thailand signed a peace agreement in October during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, attended by international leaders. However, the accord was later put on hold after a landmine explosion in a border area left several Thai soldiers seriously wounded.
Casualties have continued to mount amid the clashes. According to Thai officials, at least 21 soldiers and one civilian have been killed. Cambodian authorities, meanwhile, reported that 18 civilians lost their lives and 78 others were injured. Thailand also reported that an additional 33 civilians were killed as a result of what it described as collateral consequences of the conflict.
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