US Urges Immediate Ceasefire Between Thailand and Cambodia Amid Ongoing Clashes

Wed Dec 10 2025 12:43:39 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As border skirmishes enter a third day, the US calls for Thailand and Cambodia to immediately halt hostilities. The situation has resulted in multiple casualties and significant displacement.

The United States has called for an immediate ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia as border clashes continue to escalate, leading to at least 10 fatalities and displacing more than 500,000 people. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed adherence to previously established de-escalation measures, while President Trump promised to intervene. Both nations accuse each other of military aggression, leaving the potential for continued violence.

The US has asked Thailand and Cambodia to 'cease hostilities immediately' as border clashes extended for a third day, killing at least 10 people and displacing hundreds of thousands.

The two nations must follow de-escalatory measures outlined in a peace accord brokered by US President Donald Trump in October, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

Trump has also said that he would 'make a phone call' to stop the fighting, which is the most serious escalation since clashes in July killed dozens of people.

Both countries have blamed each other for re-igniting the fighting, which has seen air strikes and exchanges of artillery fire.

The death toll over three days of hostilities stands at 10 - seven from Cambodia and three from Thailand. Thai officials said they evacuated more than 400,000 people, while Phnom Penh said 100,000 on the Cambodian side have been moved to shelters.

Thailand's defence ministry stated military actions were 'limited in scope and employed as a last option'. 'Peace must come with the safety and security of our citizens, full stop,' the ministry's spokesman asserted.

Cambodia, however, accused Thailand of launching 'aggressive military attacks' targeting civilian institutions and 'sacred cultural sites', including historic temples along the disputed border.

Furthermore, Cambodia announced its withdrawal from the Southeast Asian Games hosted in Thailand, citing 'serious concerns and requests' from its athletes' families.

United Nations' Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to 'exercise restraint and avoid further escalation', highlighting significant civilian casualties, damage to infrastructure, and displacement on both sides.

The century-old border dispute between the neighbours has dramatically escalated since July, when a Cambodian rocket barrage initiated a period of violence that has resulted in numerous deaths. Although a ceasefire was brokered in October, tensions remained high.

Violence this week has expanded into at least six provinces in northeastern Thailand and five in Cambodia. Warnings against traveling to the border areas have been issued by multiple countries, including the UK, US, and Japan.