Cambodia Hopes For Swift Return Of Soldiers Held In Thailand Following Ceasefire

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The Cambodian Defence Ministry has expressed hope that the 18 soldiers currently held in Thai custody following the recent border conflict will be returned in the near future.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Lt Gen Maly Socheata, acknowledged the deep concern of the soldiers’ families, who have been anxiously awaiting their safe return since the ceasefire was agreed upon on July 28.

“Cambodia continues to call on the Thai side to abide by the agreement and hand over to Cambodia 18 soldiers detained after the ceasefire. 

“It has been 14 days, their families are waiting day and night. They should return and reunite soon,” she said during a media briefing Tuesday.

The cross-border military clash between the two countries began on July 24 after weeks of escalating tensions since the May 28 border skirmish. 

The 120-hour armed conflict led to a temporary suspension of diplomatic relations, border closures, stalled cross-border trade, and the displacement of over 170,000 Cambodians.

Military hostilities ended after a ceasefire brokered by Malaysia, as the ASEAN chair, and supported by the United States and China. 

It brought normalcy to the 817-kilometre unclear border areas, which have led to long-standing rivalry between Cambodia and Thailand despite enjoying warm trade and diplomatic ties. 

Following the ceasefire agreement, an Extraordinary Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 7 to address the issue further. 

According to the ministry, border areas remain calm, and the ceasefire, monitored by ASEAN and international partners, continues to hold for now.

-- BERNAMA