Trump pledges to 'make a phone call' to halt Thailand-Cambodia clashes

US President Donald Trump has vowed to personally intervene to halt renewed hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia, claiming a single phone call from him could stop the conflict. Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump framed his potential mediation as a unique demonstration of his influence, stating, "Who else could say I’m going to make a phone call and stop a war of two very powerful countries."

A shattered ceasefire and mounting casualties

The renewed clashes, which began earlier this week, have effectively shattered a US-brokered peace deal signed in Kuala Lumpur in October in Trump's presence. The fighting has already displaced more than 500,000 people across both nations. Casualty reports differ: Cambodia reports nine civilian deaths and 46 injuries since Monday, while Thailand says four of its soldiers were killed and 68 wounded in the border skirmishes.

Accusations and resolve from both capitals

Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen stated that Cambodia desires peace but is "forced to fight back to defend its territory," claiming Cambodian forces initially held their fire before retaliating. On the Thai side, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Cambodia had not initiated contact for talks and asserted that Thailand would continue its military operations as planned, declaring, "We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do."

Background of escalating tensions

The latest violence follows months of escalating tension. A key flashpoint occurred in November when a Thai soldier was wounded by a landmine; Bangkok accused Cambodian forces of planting it, a charge Phnom Penh denies. The resurgence of conflict so soon after a high-profile US-mediated agreement underscores the deep-seated and unresolved territorial disputes along the border, posing a direct challenge to Trump's diplomatic credibility in the region.