Cambodian officials reported that Thai forces struck inside Cambodia on Saturday, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump posted that both countries had agreed to resume a ceasefire he had helped negotiate.
Reuters quoted the Cambodian Ministry of Information as saying fighter jets carried out lethal strikes along the border. Thai officials, speaking to The Associated Press, said the Thai border province of Sisaket had been hit by BM-21 rockets and that Thailand launched a retaliatory operation — led by the Royal Thai Navy — against Cambodia’s southwestern Koh Kong province.
"Thai forces have not stopped the bombing yet and are still continuing the bombing," the Cambodian ministry said, Reuters reported.
Diplomatic Responses
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow disputed President Trump’s description of events, telling reporters the U.S. president’s posts did not "reflect an accurate understanding of the situation," the AP reported. Sihasak suggested that Mr. Trump’s statements may have been based on misleading information and said the comments had alarmed many Thais, noting Thailand’s long-standing alliance with the United States.
Malaysia has been engaged in mediation alongside the U.S., working to broker and verify ceasefires. Malaysian officials in Kuala Lumpur said they would review evidence to "verify which side fired first" in the most recent exchanges, according to Reuters.
Background
The two neighbors have clashed intermittently since fighting resumed earlier in the week. A Malaysia-backed ceasefire in July went ahead after pressure from the U.S., including threats of tighter trade measures if the parties refused to settle. The truce later deteriorated: officials in Thailand have accused Cambodia of repeated violations of international norms, including targeting civilians and laying landmines. In November, Thailand suspended the armistice after a soldier was killed by a landmine Bangkok says was recently planted by Cambodian forces.
International mediators continue efforts to de-escalate the situation, but cross-border attacks and conflicting accounts from both sides underscore the fragility of any agreement.
