Malaysia urges calm after Thai airstrikes violate ceasefire with Cambodia

Malaysia has issued a urgent appeal for calm after Thailand conducted airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, marking a serious violation of a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States. The escalation follows fresh clashes that resulted in at least one Thai soldier killed and four injured, threatening to unravel delicate diplomatic efforts to resolve the long-standing territorial conflict.

Malaysian Mediation and Regional Concerns

In an official statement on Monday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged both neighboring nations to exercise "maximum restraint" and utilize existing diplomatic channels. "Malaysia stands ready to support steps that can help restore calm and avert further incidents," he said, emphasizing that the renewed fighting risks destabilizing the careful work done to stabilize bilateral relations. He warned that the ASEAN region "cannot afford to see long-standing disputes slip into cycles of confrontation."

Conflicting Accounts of the Escalation

The Thai Air Force confirmed it used F-16 fighter jets to strike Cambodian positions in the Chong Ahn Ma border area, which it claimed were "actively attacking Thai forces." Thai Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree stated the airstrikes were a retaliation for Cambodian artillery and aerial attacks. Conversely, Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense condemned the "brutal and inhumane" Thai attacks as a serious breach of the peace agreement, accusing Bangkok of undermining commitments made under the October ceasefire.

Civilian Impact and Fragile Diplomatic Framework

The violence has triggered civilian evacuations from communities on both sides of the border. The current crisis originates from a dispute that escalated into deadly clashes last July, displacing thousands. The ceasefire in question was signed on October 26 in Kuala Lumpur during an ASEAN Summit, witnessed by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Its collapse poses a significant challenge to regional security and the association's principle of resolving disputes peacefully.