Rubio: US ready to facilitate Cambodia-Thailand peace

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to express concern over the ongoing violence between Cambodia and Thailand.

According to the U.S. Department of State, during the call, Secretary Rubio reiterated President Trump’s desire for peace, stressing the importance of fully implementing the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.

“The United States is prepared to facilitate discussions to ensure peace and stability between Cambodia and Thailand,” Rubio said.

Cambodia and Thailand have accused each other of breaching a ceasefire agreed in Malaysia in October under the presence of U.S. President Trump. The deal, which aimed to demine and withdraw troops and heavy weapons from contested areas, has failed to halt fighting.

Since early December, clashes have erupted along multiple points of the border, from forested areas near Laos to coastal provinces on the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia reports at least 21 civilian deaths and over 500,000 displaced, while Thailand cites at least 65 deaths and 150,000 people evacuated.

On December 24, Cambodia’s defence ministry accused Thailand of dropping bombs in Banteay Meanchey province, calling the strikes “brutal” and indiscriminate. Thailand responded that Cambodian forces continued to fire heavy weapons into Sa Kaeo province, prompting retaliation.

By Aghakazim Guliyev