FAMILIES REUNITED
The Southeast Asian neighbours agreed a truce on Saturday, ending renewed military clashes – with artillery bombardments and air strikes – that spread to nearly every border province on both sides.
The conflict stems from a territorial dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800km border, where both sides claim centuries-old temple ruins.
Under the truce signed on Saturday, Cambodia and Thailand pledged to cease fire, freeze troop movements and cooperate on demining efforts along their border.
They also agreed to allow civilians displaced from border areas by three weeks of fighting to return home as soon as possible, while Thailand was to return the 18 captive Cambodian soldiers within 72 hours, if the ceasefire held.
Cambodia has said its soldiers were captured by Thai forces on Jul 29 – nearly eight hours after a ceasefire that halted five days of deadly clashes went into effect.
Five months on, it was unclear whether or when Bangkok would free the 18 men, after Thailand accused Cambodia of violating their most recent pact by flying more than 250 drones over its territory on Sunday night, and a three-day truce observation period ended on Tuesday without an announcement of the soldiers’ release.
But notice came from Phnom Penh on Wednesday, with Cambodian information minister Neth Pheaktra confirming “our 18 heroic soldiers” had arrived back on Cambodian soil.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which supported the soldiers’ repatriation as a humanitarian observer, welcomed their release.
ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric said in a statement that their return home allowed families to be reunited and built confidence between the two countries, “supporting the path to lasting peace”.
