President Donald Trump has stepped back into the ongoing Thailand–Cambodia conflict after reports of renewed clashes threatened to derail a recent peace deal. The White House confirmed that Trump contacted both governments on Friday.
The truce, signed in October during Trump’s Asia visit, was meant to halt months of hostilities. But Thailand suspended the agreement after accusing Cambodia of deploying landmines that injured its soldiers.
Fresh accusations soon followed as both nations reported new exchanges of fire. Cambodia later announced that a civilian had been killed, heightening fears of further escalation.
Malaysia — long the chief mediator — was included in Trump’s diplomatic outreach. Malaysian officials played a major part in brokering the original ceasefire and continue to work closely with both sides.
Despite decades of attempts to settle the border dispute, violence has repeatedly resurfaced. The five-day conflict this summer was particularly severe, claiming 43 lives and forcing around 300,000 people to flee their homes.